Report: Stabbing suspect out of jail without paying bond

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — A stabbing suspect accused of putting a man in critical condition is out of jail without paying bond.

Channel 9 learned suspect Diamond Eggleston was released to a pre-trial program used to ease jail overcrowding.

When Channel 9 first started asking about the jail reduction program, county leaders said they were focusing on people accused of misdemeanors and low level felony crimes.

In April, the District Attorney's Office agreed to grant pre-trial release to Eggleston, who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Chris Hanley said he sustained 12 stab wounds when longtime friends Keenan Wellman and Eggleston accused him of stealing a gun April 11.
 
"Both of them had a knife, and they started to stab me," said Hanley.
 
The alleged attack put Hanley in the hospital with a punctured liver and heart and two collapsed lungs.
 
Eggleston and Wellman were both charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and each booked on $100,000 bonds.

When Hanley got out of the hospital, he learned Eggleston was out, too.
 
"I don't understand how she got that, especially that quick after going to jail," Hanley said.
 
Channel 9 learned Eggleston was released to a pre-trial program after spending one day in jail, and her bond was reduced to $25,000 and unsecured, meaning she didn't have to pay a penny.
 
The pre-trial release is part of the county's jail reduction program.

Channel 9 asked the jail administrator if Eggleston's release fit the committee's original criteria.
 
"Probably not in my way of interpreting the way everything has been going with the committee on that," Maj. Bert Connolly said in a phone interview. "Keep in mind, we can only lock up in jail and place in jail based on who the courts say we have."
 
The judge and the district attorney have the final say, but if it were up to Hanley, both would still be locked up.
 
"I think they deserve to be in jail," Connolly said.
 
After Channel 9 asked the district attorney about this case, her office took the case back before the judge Wednesday and decided to leave Eggleston in the pre-trial program.
 
The jail administrator said it is very likely the committee will take another look at the criteria for the jail reduction program.

WSOC