Judge considers bond for dad who admits punching, killing 4-month-old daughter; also harrased dead baby's mom before trial (Sioux City, Iowa)

That violent dad PAUL HILL would be even CONSIDERED for bail just shows how little regard the legal system has for the safety of mothers and children.

http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/father-charged-in-baby-s-death-is-flight-risk-state/article_f6c47574-c9a7-58a9-9806-dabd2f5fd27c.html

Sioux City father charged in baby's death is flight risk, state says

April 27, 2015 4:30 pm • NICK HYTREK SIOUX CITY |

With no family in the area and the knowledge of what prison is like, Paul Hill has no reason to stay in Sioux City and face a new trial for the death of his 4-month-old daughter, the girl's great-aunt said Monday.

"He's had a taste of prison and he's not going to like it, so he's going to run," said Kim Bursell, the grand-aunt of Tryniti Jo Hill, testifying why Hill's bond should be raised from $50,000 to $100,000.

Hill, 25, has pleaded not guilty to child endangerment causing death for Tryniti's Feb. 17, 2009, death and is scheduled to stand trial Aug. 4 in Woodbury County District Court.

Hill was found guilty in June 2010 and sentenced to 50 years in prison, but was granted a new trial in January, when the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled that a district court judge should have granted Hill's application for postconviction relief and a new trial.

Hill claimed that police questioning him violated his right to remain silent when he admitted to striking Tryniti in the abdomen while buckling her into a car seat.

Hill is being held in the Woodbury County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond. Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Jill Esteves has asked that Hill's bond be increased because his parents no longer live here and he harassed Tryniti's mother, Kayla Hegge, and her family while out on bond prior to his first trial. His bond had been $75,000 when he was released before his first trial.

Hill's attorney, Hannah Vellinga, asked Senior Judge Gary Wenell to leave Hill's bond at $50,000. He attended all his hearings prior to his first trial, she said, and the case has essentially started over since the appeals court's decision.

"Our stance is that at this point, Mr. Hill is facing a new trial. He has not been convicted of anything," Vellinga said. Wenell said he would issue a ruling as soon as possible.