A Denver father accused of neglecting his disabled son while crossing a busy street had his $1 million bail reduced Tuesday to $50,000.
Teddy Hollie was charged with negligent death of an at-risk adult after his 21-year-old son, Jermaine Jones, died of his injuries in November, months after a July 29, 2009, accident on South Colorado Boulevard.
Hollie faces up to six years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors allege Hollie was drunk and wasn’t watching his son, who has cerebral palsy, when he crossed the street against the light on East Mexico Avenue.
Jones had the mental capacity of a 4-year-old and couldn’t cross the street by himself.
Jones was struck by the driver of a Mitsubishi Endeavor; witnesses told police Hollie was drinking and appeared under the influence at the time of the incident.
Hollie’s attorney, Holly Lucas, told Judge Andrew Armatas that the $1 million bail was “oppressive” and in the 13 years she has been a defense attorney, she had not see anyone else with a $1 million bail unless they were charged with a homicide that was particularly heinous.
Prosecutor Allison Jennings told the judge that Hollie has eight prior felonies on his record and failed to appear in court 29 times. She argued for a $100,000 bail.
But Lucas said that Hollie was incarcerated some of the time he was supposed to be in court and that he suffers from his own physical and mental disabilities.
Hollie waived his right to a preliminary hearing and is due for arraignment in Denver District Court on Aug. 26.
In an earlier interview with The Denver Post, Hollie denied he was drunk the night of the accident. He also said he wouldn’t do anything to intentionally harm his son.
His attorney also told the judge that Hollie was not intoxicated during the incident.
But a police report indicates the sergeant at the scene of the accident detected the smell of alcohol on Hollie’s breath and said that his speech was slurred and his pupils dilated.
A woman told police she was drinking with Hollie just before his son stepped out into the street.
The driver of the Endeavor was not charged because police say her light was green when Jones darted into traffic.
Felisa Cardona: 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com
