According to The Legendary reporting, Benjamin Morrison was released from custody on bond for the charge of Sec. 21.02. CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG CHILD OR CHILDREN of the Texas Penal Code. Reports indicate he was released from custody on June 1, 2010. On Wednesday August 4, 2010, a grand Jury returned indictments for the afore mentioned offense and others.
One of the main barriers to magistrates ordering GPS monitoring as a condition of release is the burden placed on the defendant to pay for the monitoring. Morrison lists his place of employment as Acer Computer in Temple. He was gainfully employed and the monitoring is about equal to or less than one hours pay a day.
GPS monitoring would have addressed the more pressing issue detailed in the report. After more than 48 hours, Morrison is still at large. Had electronic monitoring been ordered by the Magistrate as a condition of bond, the movements of the defendant would have been monitored in real time via GPS satellite technology. Upon indictment, law enforcement would have simply had to call the company monitoring Morrison and his exact location would have been made available.
Texas must move quickly to embrace technology as a public safety issue. Why was a man charged with multiple sexual offenses against children released from custody without electronic monitoring? The technology only recently was made available and the authorities may not have known the service existed. Citizens must demand a higher level of accountability.
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