Credit: Jeff Bohen/LevittownNow
A Croydon man who showed up for his preliminary hearing on Wednesday drunk had his bail revoked because of “criminal activity” while out on bail.
William Stockton, 44, who was scheduled to have a case for simple assault and harassment heard in front of District Court Judge Frank W. Parenteau, Sr., caused a commotion of sorts while waiting for his case to be called.
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As one observer put it: “He was giving the court staff a hard time by being belligerent with the them, cursing at the constables, and basically acting like an ass. How he thinks he’s going to come before a judge drunk and get away with it is simply mind-boggling!”
And Peranteau agreed.
Prior to the hearing, Stockton was ordered to take a blood alcohol content test since he was suspected of breaking a condition of his bail. He blew a 0.286.
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As Stockton’s hearing got under way, he attempted to explain to the Magistrate, slurred speech and all, why he had yet to acquire the services of an attorney to a patient Peranteau.
Peranteau asked the defendant why didn’t he tell the staff, or the judge himself, before the hearing that he yet to get the services of an attorney.
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Stockton repeated a statement he made in the waiting area of the court, saying the Judge looked to be in “a bad mood,” to which the judge replied “I’m in a great mood! ”
As he was stumbling over his words, almost at times sounding incoherent, he told the judge that right after the hearing “I’m going to rehab.” Peranteau sternly interrupted the publicly drunk man saying, “well, I’m about to help you get a bed in rehab by revoking your bail because you are here visibly intoxicated at 9:30 a.m. ”
Stockton attempted to apologize to Peranteau, who listened to the man and then told him “were going to get you the help you need.”
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The defendant sobered for a moment realizing he was now going back to jail saying to a friend as he left the court, “See? What I tell you?”
Stockton was taken into custody by constables and Bristol Township police.
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His bail was set at $25,000 in lieu of 10 percent secured bond and was sent to Bucks County Jail.
After the hearing Peranteau, reiterated why he sent Stockton back to jail. He said the 44-year-old was involved in criminal activity while at the courthouse and that was grounds for revoking his bail.
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Asked if showing up for a hearing visibly intoxicated is a frequent occurrence, Peranteau said he couldn’t recall the last time it happened.
Stockton goes before the judge again on September 11 to face two simple assault charges and a related offense.
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Stockton had a bail reduction hearing on Friday which was granted. He’s now out on $5,000 bail, according to online court records.
