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CNN Live Today

Bail Hearing For Dontee Stokes

Aired May 15, 2002 - 14:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: To Baltimore and Jeanne Meserve, where that man accused of shooting a priest on Monday has been in court. Jeanne, what happened?

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This was a bail hearing for Dontee Stokes and this matter is not resolved. This will be continued until Friday, pending a competency evaluation.

I was sitting in this courtroom next to Stokes' mother and about 8 minutes before 2:00 he became visible on a monitor in the courtroom where we were sitting. He was not here. He was at the jail facility, a booking facility, adjacent to the jail, where he's being held.

His mother looked up and said, "There's my baby." She got choked up as she looked at him. She did say to me that she thought he looked good. She was relieved that he had not been roughed up while he's been in jail. She indicated that he was quite small young man, and she was worried about this fact.

In the course of the questioning, it came to light that there had been a suicide attempt by Dontee Stokes. The exact date of this is not pinned down yet. One court official believed it was in '96.

Dontee Stokes himself spoke up, however, said it was in '93 or '94. He said he tried to overdose on pills at that time. He spoke up on his behalf, saying, "I want to say that I am not a flight risk or a risk to myself. I may be depressed, but I am not suicidal. Please," he said, "would you please consider bail for me?"

But the judge, upon hearing this news about the suicide attempt, decided that he would be more comfortable if there was a competency evaluation. So that will take place on an expedited basis. They should have the results on Friday.

I should say that the attorneys both spoke up. Thomas McNichols, who is the attorney representing Dontee Stokes in this matter, indicated that his client had led an exemplary life to this point. He pointed out that he had been a devout Catholic for much of his life and he still attended some church. That he had turned himself into authorities.

The alleged events, he said, of Monday night were a complete aberration from the rest of his life. However, the state's attorney also spoke up. He said that he believes Dontee Stokes is a risk to public safety and there should be no bail on his behalf.

Before the proceedings began, Tamara Stokes did stop and talk to the cameras. She was flanked by many sisters. She said that she had not had an opportunity to talk to her son since Sunday, Mother's Day. But if she did have a chance to talk to him, here is what she said she would have to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TAMARA STOKES, MOTHER: That I love him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We all love him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We love you.

STOKES: I believed him from day one, and I am still here with him. And no matter how many people come out towards me, I will always speak up for you. I am here 100 percent.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: So once again, no decision on bail for Dontee Stokes. That matter, now it appears, will be decided on Friday. Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: Jeanne, thank you. Jeanne Meserve in Baltimore.

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