This is the article:
Bond sticks in case of fatal construction site fight
By Lynde Hedgpeth, staff writerJan. 21, 2004 11:15 p.m.
ASHEVILLE - Ten family members and friends of Jeffrey Parham sat staring at the back of a head with dark hair and streaks of gray - the head of the man accused of beating their relative to death.
The two families met in the Buncombe County Courthouse on Wednesday to hear whether a judge would allow Joseph Lee Jenkins, accused of killing Parham on Saturday, to stay out of jail after paying a $5,000 bond.
Judge Gary Cash recommended the bond Saturday after police charged Jenkins with second-degree murder. Police said Jenkins and Parham got into a fistfight at the CVS Pharmacy construction site where they worked on New Leicester Highway. Parham died from injuries he sustained in the fight, Asheville police Capt. Tom Aardema said.
Assistant District Attorney Jeff Jones said Parham's family came to the court asking for a higher bond. He said the low bond, in light of the nature of the crime, gave them concerns about whether Jenkins would skip his next court date, scheduled in February. Jones requested a $25,000 secured bond, which Jenkins would have to pay before being released from jail.
Cash decided Wednesday to keep Jenkins' bond set at $5,000, plus $50,000 extra to be paid if he misses a court date. Cash gave Jenkins numerous restrictions while out on bond, after hearing arguments from Jones, Jenkins' lawyer and Parham's aunt Carmon Parham.
"This was a deliberate and malicious assault. Jeff went to work Saturday expecting to do a day's work," said Parham, whom family members described as strong, level-headed and able to speak for them.
"We need a bond set high enough so it will assure he'll be here so he can answer the charges."
Jenkins' lawyer, Bill McDowall, said his client's cooperation in the murder investigation showed he would not skip a court date. Though Cash agreed, he said that until his trial, Jenkins must have no contact with Parham's family, be assessed and counseled for substance and alcohol abuse, not have any controlled substances or alcohol and submit to random drug and alcohol screenings.
If Jenkins violates any of those restrictions, or if he had alcohol in his system, Cash said, "I'm not going to let him out. It's going to be $200,000 secured" bond.
Jenkins' family would not comment after the hearing. Co- workers this past weekend said that after the fight, Jenkins called for help and tried to resuscitate Parham.
"It's very devastating for both families," said Tammy Parker, Parham's longtime girlfriend and the mother of his child. Parker said she felt for Jenkins's family, but she did not want to see him walk away after what happened to Parham.
"We need to lift him up in prayer, and his family," Parker said.
Contact Hedgpeth at 232-5953 or LHedgpet@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.
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