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Ure
A judge refused to reduce bail Thursday for a Reedsport man accused of sexually abusing two boys.
Justin Vail Ure, 33, has been indicted on three counts of first-degree sodomy, one count of second-degree sodomy, two counts of sexual abuse and one count of coercion. He is being held at the Douglas County Jail on $300,000 bail.
During his first court appearance Thursday, Ure pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and a trial date was set for March 29.
Ure's defense attorney, Paul Van Dyk, asked Circuit Court Judge Ronald Poole to release his client and to reduce his bail.
Van Dyk said Ure has spent most of his life in Oregon, has lived in his present residence in Reedsport since 2005 and has no criminal history. He said the man's mother, who also lives in Reedsport, had agreed to have her son live with her should he be released.
She also offered to keep Ure under an “informal house arrest,” by which she would call police if her son did not come home, Van Dyk said.
Van Dyk conceded Ure faces “quite serious” charges.
“But aside from the charges, then there's no reason I think Mr. Ure would not be a good candidate for release,” he said.
Deputy District Attorney Shannon Sullivan opposed releasing Ure. “We have very serious concerns for community safety and the victims' safety,” she said.
“(The victims) both live in the Reedsport area and it's our understanding they live very close to where Mr. Ure lives or would live if he were released,” she said.
Sullivan also said six of the charges Ure faces are Measure 11 crimes. If convicted on the charges, Ure could face “substantial prison time,” she said, raising the prosecution's concerns that Ure might flee if he were released.
Poole said it's difficult to rule on such requests for release, especially early in a case, because of conflicting factors. Ure is assumed innocent and has ties to the community. On the other hand, Ure is accused of “allegations that involve force.” Poole also said ensuring public safety is his first concern.
He denied the attorney's request for release. He also denied the request to lower Ure's bail. “The security set is, frankly, reasonable given the nature of the allegations,” Poole said.
In a previous interview, Reedsport Dispatch Supervisor Judy Macho said Ure's alleged victims are an 11-year-old and a 12-year-old boy.
She said the boys knew Ure, but were not related to him.
• You can reach reporter Kathy Korengel at 957-4218 or by e-mail at kkorengel@nrtoday.com.
Justin Vail Ure, 33, has been indicted on three counts of first-degree sodomy, one count of second-degree sodomy, two counts of sexual abuse and one count of coercion. He is being held at the Douglas County Jail on $300,000 bail.
During his first court appearance Thursday, Ure pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and a trial date was set for March 29.
Ure's defense attorney, Paul Van Dyk, asked Circuit Court Judge Ronald Poole to release his client and to reduce his bail.
Van Dyk said Ure has spent most of his life in Oregon, has lived in his present residence in Reedsport since 2005 and has no criminal history. He said the man's mother, who also lives in Reedsport, had agreed to have her son live with her should he be released.
She also offered to keep Ure under an “informal house arrest,” by which she would call police if her son did not come home, Van Dyk said.
Van Dyk conceded Ure faces “quite serious” charges.
“But aside from the charges, then there's no reason I think Mr. Ure would not be a good candidate for release,” he said.
Deputy District Attorney Shannon Sullivan opposed releasing Ure. “We have very serious concerns for community safety and the victims' safety,” she said.
“(The victims) both live in the Reedsport area and it's our understanding they live very close to where Mr. Ure lives or would live if he were released,” she said.
Sullivan also said six of the charges Ure faces are Measure 11 crimes. If convicted on the charges, Ure could face “substantial prison time,” she said, raising the prosecution's concerns that Ure might flee if he were released.
Poole said it's difficult to rule on such requests for release, especially early in a case, because of conflicting factors. Ure is assumed innocent and has ties to the community. On the other hand, Ure is accused of “allegations that involve force.” Poole also said ensuring public safety is his first concern.
He denied the attorney's request for release. He also denied the request to lower Ure's bail. “The security set is, frankly, reasonable given the nature of the allegations,” Poole said.
In a previous interview, Reedsport Dispatch Supervisor Judy Macho said Ure's alleged victims are an 11-year-old and a 12-year-old boy.
She said the boys knew Ure, but were not related to him.
• You can reach reporter Kathy Korengel at 957-4218 or by e-mail at kkorengel@nrtoday.com.
