BY JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- The man police were chasing when Officer Mike Partin fell off a bridge to his death will stay behind bars, his family unable to raise his $100,000 cash bond.
Lawyers for Shawnta Robertson hoped to have the amount reduced so he might get out of jail while he waits for his manslaughter trial. But a judge refused to lower it, much to the appreciation of the officer's widow.
Lisa Partin, far left, reacts to ruling that will not reduce the bond of Robertson, right.
(Patrick Reddy photo)
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Lisa Partin closed her eyes and tilted her head back, as if to thank God, as Kenton Circuit Judge Steven Jaeger ruled. She sat in the courtroom Thursday morning with her husband's mother and stepfather. Just across the courtroom aisle were Mr. Robertson's uncle, fiancee and 15-month-old son, Shawnta Jr.
Mr. Robertson, 21, spoke little during the hearing, saying only that he understood the charges against him. Attorney Ken Lawson pleaded not guilty for his client.
Arguing for the lower bond, Mr. Lawson said Mr. Robertson had been a full-time psychology major at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College at the time of the police chase early Jan. 4. He and his fiancee live together in a Cincinnati apartment where they care for their son, he said. And Mr. Robertson's criminal record consists only of a misdemeanor in Ohio, the lawyer argued.
"Everybody knows this is a unique case, a tragic case," Mr. Lawson said. "But it's a case where there was simply no intent to harm any officer."
But Commonwealth Attorney Don Buring, suggesting that the bond remain because Mr. Robertson might not return to court, made his point succinctly: "We wouldn't be here, in fact, judge, if there wasn't a flight by Mr. Robertson last January."
Officer Partin was buried two weeks ago today. He fell into the Ohio River while helping another officer chase Mr. Robertson. His body was discovered May 18.
Mr. Robertson had been charged with possession of marijuana, disregarding a traffic control device and driving under the influence. But Mr. Buring said Thursday he did not expect to prosecute Mr. Robertson on any of the misdemeanors.
If convicted of manslaughter, Mr. Robertson faces five to 10 years in prison.
