Bail reduced for inmate injured in Cascade County jail

Bail was reduced for a Cascade County inmate injured shortly after being booked into the detention center. District Judge John Kutzman lowered Wesley Lane Crawford’s bail from $25,000 to $15,000 during a hearing Tuesday afternoon.

Crawford, 36, faces an assault with a weapon charge for allegedly threatening a stranger with a hunting knife early last month. Court documents say he told the man, “demons told me I should pluck out your eye.”

Crawford wore a neck brace at the hearing. He told Kutzman he must wear the brace 24 hours a day because he was “jumped” by six other inmates at the jail a few hours after he arrived. Crawford testified he suffered two fractured vertebrae in his neck and several cracked ribs.

Court documents say Crawford was transported to the emergency room after the incident, which was partially captured on surveillance video. Six men face felony criminal charges in connection with the incident, which the state says is still under investigation.

Crawford requested his bond be lowered to no more than $2,500, so he can seek better medical care for his injuries and try to get a job. He explained he would live with his mother in the Kalispell area and that she would ensure he attend all court hearings.

Charging documents list a criminal history for Crawford that include federal convictions for burglary and probation violations, along with state convictions for intimidation cases, assaults, thefts, probation revocations and parole violations.

Those criminal charges were addressed by the state during the hearing as reasons to maintain the $25,000 bail amount, along with the violent nature of the alleged knife attack. Crawford chalked up some of his past behavior to a drug problem when asked about his record on the witness stand.

Kutzman expressed concern for public safety because the reported victim was a stranger to Crawford. However, the judge ruled $25,000 was an oppressive bail amount and ordered the $10,000 reduction. He also told Crawford if he can post bail he will be allowed to travel to the Kalispell area to stay with his mother.