New York State is poised to take a leap into the chaotic on January 1, 2020 when so-called ‘bail reform’ finally hits the books. On that day nearly 4,000 people across the state will received get out of jail free cards from the state in one of the largest mass releases ever. Andrew Cuomo and his fellow anti-bail bonds zealots, safely ensconced in their Albany offices, are hailing this as a new day for freedom. While judges, prosecutors, police and private citizens statewide are denouncing it as a dangerous, short-sighted political ploy intended to help Cuomo shore up his less than stellar reputation among leftists in the Democratic Party. Galen A. Tryon of Warrensburg is firmly in Cuomo’s corner. Who is Galen A. Tryon? Read on to find out.
Sunset for the Bondsman Means Sunrise for the Fugitive
On January 1, thousands of suspected criminals will be released from jail in New York. But in December, because they no longer saw the point of holding people that were only going to be released January 1, judges around the state started acting as if the law were already in place. As such, just about anyone arrested was being immediately released. Including men who violently assault police officers as well as car thieves and home intruders.
Take for instance, the case of Galen A. Tryon who we mentioned earlier. Tryon was arrested on two felony counts recently, charged with second degree burglary and accused of stealing cash and a gun. Second degree burglary is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. However, in spite of that, and in spite of a long history of run-ins with the law, Tryon was released without bail. That’s right. He was arrested, brought before a judge and immediately released. Oh, and by the way, the gun he’s alleged to have stolen has not been found. Meaning that not only is he free, he’s potentially armed and dangerous as well.
Warren County Lt. Sheriff Steve Stockdale characterized the Tryon case this way: “He had been on a crime spree for a few months.” That was before the most recent felony burglary arrest. But apparently Tryon has decided to take his crime spree on the road. Because shortly after being released without bail he fled the state.
In a state with an active bail bonding system the bondsman would have the authority and the incentive to track down a fugitive like Tryon and return him to custody. And at no cost to the state we might add. But because there was no bail involved there will be no one pursuing Tryon and no justice for the victims he leaves behind. That’s pretty much bail reform in a nutshell.
Tryon Just a Sign of Things to Come
Tryon understands that a state without bail is a state where anything goes. And he’s not alone in that understanding. In another recent incident a Brooklyn man sucker punched a New York City police officer and wrestled him to the ground in full view of spectators. That man was immediately released by the judge in the case who cited the state’s new bail reform law as the reason. The police were stunned and outraged and issued this statement: “The perps know they can sucker punch a cop and escape with no consequences. And cops know that City Hall will not back them up. The situation is getting more dangerous by the day." They’re right. It is. But that’s bail reform.
Fortunately, the good people of Adams County, Broomfield County, Weld County and Denver had sense enough to show bail reformers the door. But the folks in New York State have not had that opportunity. Bail reform there was shoved through the legislature with little discussion and signed by Governor Cuomo in spite of widespread opposition from members of the criminal justice system. Cuomo or course, doesn’t have to live with the consequences of his actions. While Governor he is surrounded by a phalanx of security. And when the day comes that he leaves office he’ll return to cushy and secure Westchester County.
Throwing in the Towel
With the January 1, 2020 deadline looming for implementation of the new law many communities in the Empire State have decided they have no option but to throw in the towel. Courts are simply releasing most people who come before them. In other cases judges are stipulating that a person must be held. But they’re also attaching a rider to that ‘hold’ order by saying they must be released on January 1 if they haven’t yet posted bail. So it’s either immediate release or release on January 1.
The Bottom Line
The experience of other states that have abolished bail bonds leaves no doubt that the real losers here are ordinary citizens. And the real winners are people like Galen A. Tryon. Instead of having people being held over for trial states now have the same criminals committing crimes, being released, committing more crimes and being released over and over.
It’s an incredibly sad state of affairs. And if the experience of other states like Alaska, New Jersey and New Mexico is any guide New York will soon enough be making changes to their bail reform laws to re-establish some type of order. The question is, how many innocent people are going to suffer before Governor Cuomo and his clique do the right thing?