Babcock bond still $1 million

A $1 million bond remains in place for accused child murderer Robert Babcock following a district court hearing in Clarendon last Thursday, August 18.

Babcock is charged with Capital Murder in the January 5 death of his son, four-year-old Chance Mark Jones. During last week’s court appearance it was revealed that his attorneys plan to pursue an insanity defense, and they are seeking additional psychological and neurological evaluations of their client.

Babcock’s mother, Gayle Edes, took the stand during the bond reduction hearing and testified that neither she nor her son have the resources to put up the $100,000 cash necessary to secure his bond. District Attorney Luke Inman questioned Edes about her relationship with Jones.

Inman also presented to the court the details of the original complaint against Babcock and brought up other cases in Texas where bonds were not reduced.

Judge Stuart Messer maintained the $1 million bond, citing the seriousness of the offense and the defendant’s intent to pursue an insanity defense.

“I find the $1 million bond is appropriate to assure a court appearance and for the safety of the community,” Messer said.

The court also considered a separate $100,000 bond for Babcock on an unindicted domestic violence charge, and Messer reduced that to a personal recognizance bond.

Also during last week’s court appearance, Judge Messer set two more pre-trial dates – one on October 4 and another on November 29 – and schedule Babcock’s trial to begin January 17, 2012.