Domestic violence suspect in jail on $1 million bond
Thursday, July 06, 2006
- Organization: AspenTimes.com
- Link: http://www.aspentimes.com
Domestic violence suspect in jail on $1 million bond
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Alan Becker, charged with menacing, domestic violence, violating a protection order and harassment, is behind bars on a $1 million bond.
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By Chad Abraham
July 6, 2006
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An Aspen man is behind bars on $1 million bond - the largest in Pitkin County history - after allegedly making references to body bags and people getting hurt.
Alan Becker, 58, is charged with menacing, domestic violence, violating a protection order and harassment. All are misdemeanors, which Judge Erin Fernandez-Ely of the 9th Judicial District county court handles.
County judges issue search warrants as well as restraining orders in cases involving domestic violence arrests, a state judicial website says. They also have the power to set bonds to ensure a suspect won't get out.
Becker, a photographer, repeatedly asked police how much bail would be if he turned himself in, an arrest report says.
On Friday, the victim told Aspen police that Becker violated a restraining order after asking the victim's friend if the victim was going to be at a party he was attending. When told the victim was, the suspect grew incensed, according to the report.
"Becker made a comment to [the victim's] friend about someone going home in a body bag, and others getting hurt," it says.
The victim told police she thought Becker was going to try to kill her.
"[She] told me Becker has shot a gun at a previous girlfriend, and [she] thinks Becker is going to try to shoot her," the report says.
Police also talked to the party hosts. They said that when they disinvited Becker he said "he was still going to the party, and people are going to get hurt."
Investigators contacted the suspect by phone. He called the victim a liar, the report says, and asked how much his bail would be. The officer said he didn't know, and about 90 minutes later Becker called again with the same question.
Becker was arrested in December 2005 on a charge of harassment related to domestic violence, according to a criminal background search. Judges also use criminal history to set bond, an Aspen investigator said.
Police arrested Becker around 4:30 p.m. Friday after he parked at his home at 950 Matchless Drive. He declined to answer questions after his arrest.
He remained in jail Wednesday.
Chad Abraham's e-mail address is chad@aspentimes.com
