Just received word that Troy Grant turned himself into the custody of the Danbury Police Department early this morning (aprox 2:15 AM). He's scheduled to be arraigned at Danbury Superior court sometime today after 10AM.The former youth counselor for Pathways Danbury was arrested and charged with numerous charges stemming from his alleged sexual involvement with teenage boys.
Grant skipped his last court appearance last week at which time the judge doubled his bond and issued a rearrest warrant.
More on this story later...
UPDATE 3:30 PM: I stayed at Danbury Superior for as long as possible but had to leave before Grant's case was called. Mark Langlois over at the Danbury Patch and Dirk Perrefort for the News-Times were also waiting on the case. Here's Langlois take on what transpired today:
Troy Grant, the former youth counselor in Danbury accused of throwing house parties for teenage boys and gay men, was held on a $750,000 bond Friday for a court date next week.
Grant’s public defender, David Nanavity, argued for a lower bond, saying except for Jan. 7, the court date Grant skipped, he showed up every other time for court since his arrest in 2010.
“How many times has Mr. Grant showed up for his court appearances,” Nanavity asked the court.
Assistant State’s Attorney Sharmese Hodge agreed Jan. 7 was the one and only appearance he missed, but Hodge argued, “It was a very important date.”
Grant had agreed in December to solve the communications problems he had with his attorney, James Diamond, who asked to be removed from the case because of a complete breakdown in communication between Grant and Diamond. One issue appears to be the retainer Grant agreed to pay Diamond, but hadn’t.
Diamond didn’t appear in court for Grant. He couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
So, it appears based on initial reports that Grant's bond was not lowered and he's held on 750,000 bond (which should mean that he has to hand over 75,000 in value to a bail bondsman). I don't know if Grant explained why he didn't appear in December...I'm still working on finding out more info on what happened in trial today.
UPDATE 01.15.11: Perrefort's write-up in the News-Times gives an indication that some Dog the Bounty Hunter stuff went down by Grant's bail bondsman:
Michael Baptiste, with Moore Bail Bonds, said "good research" led him to an apartment in LeFrank City in Queens, N.Y., where Grant was staying with a relative.
"It was very important to us to locate Grant and bring him here so he can take care of his responsibility," Baptiste said outside the courthouse Friday.
Baptiste said Grant was cooperative when a team of investigators arrived at the New York apartment where he was staying.
...as for why Grant didn't appear in court.
During Friday's court hearing, Grant said he didn't appear in court last week as a result of a miscommunication between himself and his attorney, James Diamond, who has filed a motion to be withdrawn from the case citing "an attorney client relationship that has broken down irretrievably."
This explanation seems a tad strange for several reasons:
1. Grant's not appearing in court happened last week and was featured on the front page of the News-Times (as well as on the newspaper's website and on this blog on 01.07.11).
2. Grant knew about the hearing that he missed since he was present in court in December when the date was set.
From information I obtained at Danbury Superior Court last Friday, a hearing has been set for January 7 to consider Diamond’s request to be removed from the case.
This all seems a bit strange that Grant had a mis-communication with his attorney since the mis-communication had nothing to do with him having knowledge about the January court appearance, unless he thought he didn't have to appear (which is also strange).
We'll know more when the case continues on Jan 21st.
RELATED POSTS:
02.05.10: VIDEO: Interview with Pathway Danbury Exe. Dir. Troy Grant
02.11.10: Court increase bond, places conditions to protect victims
02.18.10: Warrant paints a disturbing picture; Grant admits having sexual relations with victim
09.23.10: Grant rejects plea offers
12.09.10: Attorney wants off Grant case
01.07.11: Grant's bond raised; re-arrest issued
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