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Couple pleads not guilty to elder abuse

May 15, 2009|Fred Petke

The couple charged with tying her father to a recliner for more than 24 hours pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon.

Mary Jane and Jeffrey Bull, both 41 of 159 Mimosa Drive, also lost their first request for a bond reduction in circuit court.

Jeffrey Bull's attorney, Scott West, said there was evidence in the case to suggest

uggest it was not a straightforward first-degree criminal abuse case and deserved a lower bond than the original amount. In district court proceedings, West said the Bulls were trying to follow proper channels and get help for her 76-year-old father, James Carson, who was diagnosed.

Sheriff's Deputy Paul Howard was executing a mental evaluation transport order on March 3 when he walked into the Bulls' home and saw Carson strapped to a recliner with open wounds on both arms and hands. Carson's feet were also swollen and discolored.

In district court, West said that Carson would pick at his sores. The Bulls told deputies that Carson, who was diagnosed with dementia, would become violent and punched Mary Bull previously.

Carson had already been dismissed from Hospice and other home health services, and Mary Bull went to the sheriff's office to get help for her father that day, West said in district court.

Carson died on March 25 and authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

"This situation, while it is a serious charge, there are mitigating circumstances that would come out, and we ask the court not to consider it a (typical) criminal abuse," West said.

Clouse said he had not heard enough evidence yet to consider reducing their bond, but would be willing to discuss the matter again in the future. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for June 18.

The Bulls were arrested March 3 and have been incarcerated since.

Contact Fred Petke at fpetke@winchestersun.com.

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