Alleged stalker back in court, can now attend city council meetings

Eddie Pugh, the man accused of stalking Abilene City Manager Robert Hanna, was back in the Taylor County Courthouse yesterday. His lawyer filed a motion to modify his bond conditions, and Judge Jeff Propst of the 104th District Court ended up siding with his defense attorney CJ Grisham on a few of the requests.

'Never threatened anyone'

Grisham centered his argument to modify the bond conditions around the idea that "in Texas, we do things differently," such as protesting with a firearm. The lawyer claimed that Pugh only "carries a firearm in self defense."

Grisham also claimed that Pugh "never threatened anyone," and that his bond conditions were "incredibly burdensome." He also claimed that while Pugh had carried an airsoft BB gun, after his bond conditions had restricted his firearms, a BB gun was not a firearm.

Assistant District Attorney Erin Stamey spoke for the state's prosecution by pointing out that while a BB gun is technically not a firearm, it does appear to look like a firearm. Stamey also noted that Pugh had caused fear in the public, resulting in several calls to emergency dispatchers.

Stamey ended with the sentiment that the current bond conditions need to remain in place.

'Instrument of oppression'

When it was the defense attorney's turn to speak, Grisham emphasized that Pugh's conduct is perfectly legal," and also that Pugh has "no criminal record." According to court documents, Pugh does have another case that is pending in court.

Pugh was arrested on September 24, 2023, and charged with a Class B criminal trespass, which is a misdemeanor charge. He is set to be in court in mid-March in relation to that charge. Pugh also has a case on his record, which was dismissed in 2011, related to a charge against him of assault family violence.

Despite this history, Grisham asserted that the ankle monitor is an "instrument of oppression in this particular case." The lawyer also disagreed with Pugh's nightly curfew of 7 p.m.- 7 a.m. citing that Pugh wanted to go to dinner and the movies.

'Don't disrupt them'

Judge Propst did make some concessions in regards to Pugh's bond conditions. The biggest change was the reduction in Pugh's curfew. The judge ruled that the new curfew would stand from 11 p.m.- 6 a.m.

Propst also reduced the bond back to $75,000, instead of the staggering $500,000. The judge did, however, disagree with the ankle monitor change, and ruled that the "ankle monitor will stay in place."

Before the court could rest, Pugh's lawyer asked that Pugh have permission to attend future city council meetings. Propst ruled in Pugh's favor, with a warning of "don't disrupt them."

All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Alleged stalker back in court, can now attend city council