Dustin HayesDustin Hayes has spent the past three years behind bars, charged with first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and facilitation to commit aggravated robbery in connection with the 2012 murder of Steve Mosley.
Today, Judge Barry Steelman decided to reduce Hayes' bond to $5,000 -- it was initially set at $700,000. Steelman said it was appropriate to reduce the bond because of the plea agreement Hayes' entered into with the state, and the time he has already served.
Twenty-one-year-old Hayes pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit aggravated robbery in April, and received a deal with the state that his charges of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery would be dropped if he truthfully testified against co-defendant Ronald Cosper. In court, Hayes testified that he drove Cosper, 21, to a house in Avondale so Cosper could rob "the weed man." Hayes told the court he had no idea the incident was going to end in murder.
Cosper was convicted last month of first-degree felony murder and attempted especially aggravated robbery. Cosper has a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Yesterday, Devante Stoudemire, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, and will spend the next 15 years locked-away.
Steelman placed several conditions on Hayes' bond, restricting him from leaving his home and driving. Hayes must also weekly contact his attorney, Hank Hill, and continue to comply with his pre-sentencing investigation.
"You be at home, or you be at the probation office, or you be at court," Steelman said to Hayes. "That's it."
See tomorrow's Times Free Press for the whole story.