Hernando: Judge criticized for lowering bail

BROOKSVILLE -- Deputies and employees of a Spring Hill bank criticized County Judge Peyton Hyslop for reducing bail for two men accused of robbing the First South Bank at gunpoint this week.

Authorities charged William Schroeder, 28, of Indian Rocks Beach and James Robertson, 22, who would not tell deputies his address, with armed robbery and conspiracy. Deputies set bail at $55,000 each.

Hyslop reduced bail to $4,900 for Schroeder and $5,000 for Robertson, according to a jail spokeswoman. Schroeder, who told authorities he had just been released from prison after serving nine years for robbery, was still being held Friday, and Robertson, who authorities say pointed the gun at bank employees, was released on Nov. 28.

Assistant State Attorney Bill Catto and Lt. Joe Paez of the Sheriff's Office said they believe bail should have been set higher because of prior criminal records, potential danger to the community and the risk that the suspects will not show up for trial.

Hyslop could not be reached for comment Friday. He has said that the purpose of bail is to make sure people come back to court. He has said setting unreasonably high bail imposes a sentence without a trial, and that it violates the Florida Constitution to set bail that a person cannot make.

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