by Bob Walsh
Kenneth Humphrey is an interesting guy, in a legal sense. He is the "face case" of a court ruling that essentially overturned the cash bail system in the formerly great state of California. That being said, he is STILL in the slammer, still awaiting a bail of $350,000, which the court said was excessive.
Back in January the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco ordered a new bail hearing for Humphrey. In essence the court said that, unless the subject is a definite threat to public safety, setting his bail so high he can not reasonably raise it is unconstitutional. The D. A. is asserting that Humphrey is in fact too dangerous to let run free.
Humphrey is 64 years old. He has a significant history of criminal behavior and drug abuse. Back in May of last year he followed a 79-year old neighbor into an elevator, threatened him and demanded money. He got the victim's last $5 and a bottle of cologne. Humphrey is facing three felony charges, robbery, elder abuse and burglary. They all involve violence of the threat of violence.
Prosecutors are now requesting that the court approve holding him without bail, asserting that his presence in the community creates a significant likelihood o great bodily harm to others. From a legal standpoint it is a high bar. Humphrey's record goes back close to 40 years and includes several convictions for burglary and robbery.
His next court date is pending.
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