Bail set at $150K for man accused of attack outside Missoula Walmart Print Email Sean Marceau Courtesy photo/conweb November 15, 2014 6:00 am • By Keila Szpaller(8) Comments A man accused of repeatedly punching a 70-year-old in the eye outside Missoulas North Reserve Walmart this summer appeared in court Friday, where Justice of the Peace Karen Orzech declared $150,000 an appropriate bail amount for the violent nature of the crime. Missoula police had been searching for Sean Marceau, 30, since the aggravated assault in August outside the Super Walmart. The Missoula man is accused of bashing the victim in the eye and rupturing his eye globe. Les Gapay recently told the Missoulian the attack blinded his eye. The Missoula County Sheriffs Office received information Thursday morning that Marceau was staying at a hotel near the Wye, Detective Lt. Scott Newell said Friday. Deputies drove around the area, canvassed the parking lots and found a car registered to a relative, he said. They waited from Marceau to exit the motel and get into the car. Marked units pulled up behind him and arrested him at that time without incident, Newell said. He said the arrest took place about 10:30 a.m. Thursday. *** On Friday in Justice Court, prosecutor Patricia Bower argued Marceaus bail should remain set at $150,000. The facts of this case are rather egregious as you can see from the affidavit, Bower said. Plus, she said, Marceau has a prior conviction for assault with a weapon and has failed to register as a violent offender. Public Defender Kelly Henkel, however, said Marceau does not have a job and could not afford to post the amount. She said Marceau is from Missoula and has family here, and she argued bail be set at $50,000 instead. I would remind the court that these are just allegations at this time, Henkel said. She also requested the court consider screening the defendant for pretrial supervision. In response, Orzech said $150,000 bail was appropriate because of Marceaus history and the alleged egregiousness of the crime. Youll have to go to a different judge for pretrial supervision because I dont think youll get through that process, and Id rather not use that process, Orzech said. She set his preliminary hearing for 4 p.m. Dec. 1. *** At the time of the assault, police believed that Marceau attacked Gapay after two other men, Albert Kelly Thomas and Michael Lehner, pushed him in the chest while he attempted to call 9-1-1. Lehner pleaded guilty to related misdemeanor charges in August. He was sentenced to pay $32,632 in restitution and $1,740 in court fines and fees, according to Municipal Court. Thomas pleaded not guilty to related misdemeanors and he is scheduled to appear in court Nov
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 01:19:21 +0000
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