Proscutor's Office: We want killer dad in jail until trial (Zanesville, Ohio)

Dad DALE WRIGHT is classic. Extensive previous "trouble" with law enforcement. A baby who was only left in Dad's care after mom went to bed, and only because Dad volunteered. Result: In less than 20 minutes, a crying 5-month-old baby acquires an ultimately fatal skull fracture and subdural hemorrhage. Hell, yes. This guy needs to be kept in jail and away from children.

http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20100930/NEWS01/9300305

Dale Wright, accused of killing son, asks for bond reduction
BY KATHY THOMPSON • Staff Writer • September 30, 2010

ZANESVILLE -- The Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office is fighting to keep a father accused of killing his infant son in jail until the trial.

Dale Wright, 28, has motioned the court, asking for a bond reduction. Currently, Wright is housed at the Muskingum County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Wright has entered not-guilty pleas to one count of murder, one count of endangering children and one count of felonious assault in connection with the death of his 5-month-old son, Dash Christopher Ray Wright.

Wright's defense attorney, Mark Stubbins, filed a motion asking Judge Mark Fleegle to reduce the bond since Wright is not considered a flight risk and has family in the area. Stubbins could not be reached for comment.

In a response to the motion, Assistant Prosecutor Ron Welch stated an investigation into Dash's death found the child's mother, Rose Mary Elson, left the child in Wright's care when she went to bed around 11:50 p.m. Aug. 1.

Elson told investigators as she was going to bed, Dash was just waking up and beginning to cry, Welch stated in the prosecution's response.

Elson said Wright told her he would get Dash and she went to bed.

Around 12:10 a.m. Aug. 2, Wright woke Elson up and told her Dash had spit up and was not breathing.

A call was made to 911 and within minutes, EMS personnel were at the home at 2148 E. Pike.

Dash was unresponsive and transported to Genesis Good Samaritan Hospital, where he initially was diagnosed with a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain, Welch stated.

Dash then was taken to Children's Hospital in Columbus, where he was diagnosed with a skull fracture, subdural hemorrhages and retinal hemorrhages, Welch stated.

Wright told investigators he had fed the child, put Dash down and when he went to check on Dash, he noticed he had spit up and was not breathing.

Wright said he then took Dash to the bedroom and told Elson and called 911.

But, Welch stated, based on the injuries, it was determined Dash had been abused in a way consistent with a "shaking impact mechanism."

"The physicians at Children's Hospital indicate that the injuries suffered by this child are comparable to injuries sustained by children who have been run over by vehicles or who have suffered high distance falls onto a solid surface," Welch wrote.

"These facts indicate a brutal death involving a helpless baby," Welch wrote. "Individuals who commit such acts represent a significant threat to public safety."

Welch said his office also thinks since other children live at the home, they, too, would be at risk if Wright were allowed out of jail.

Wright also tried to hide from Muskingum County Sheriff's Office detectives, Welch said, and refused to answer his door when detectives attempted to question him. Welch said Wright might leave the area to avoid further legal proceedings.

Wright has been in trouble with law enforcement in the past, according to court records.

In 2001, Wright was placed on community control with an unsuccessful termination for grand theft, forgery and theft by deception. In 2002, Wright was convicted of theft by deception and served 11 months in prison.

In 2004, Wright was convicted on federal charges of counterfeiting and check fraud and was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, which according to court records, was served at Morgantown, W.Va. Wright was also placed on 36 months of supervised release, five of those months to be served at Alvis House, a community correctional center based in Columbus.

In 2005, Wright began working at a restaurant in Zanesville while at Alvis House. It was reported he used an excessive amount of time to travel from work to the correctional facility. His whereabouts were unaccounted for on at least 14 days, and he was terminated from the facility on Sept. 26, 2005, for non-compliance with the rules.

kthompson@nncogannett.com; (740) 450-6753