Prosecutor files motion to have Cole back in jail
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Accused child molester William R. Cole, 52, of Batesville, is back in custody at the Ripley County Jail, after he was released earlier this month on his own recognizance.

Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel filed a motion on Monday, March 14, to have Cole's bond reinstated. The matter was presented to Circuit Court Judge Carl Taul on Wednesday, March 16.

While Cole was incarcerated at the Ripley County Jail, he suffered medical problems and was taken to the Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville. There he was guarded 24 hours a day by jail officers until his attorney, Amy Streator, filed a motion to have Cole released on his own recognizance, meaning he wouldn't have to post bond on the initial $75,000 bail that was set. That order was signed by Pro Tem Judge Larry Eaton on March 10, releasing Cole from police custody. He remained hospitalized however.

According to Hertel, Judge Taul issued a new order that stated when Cole was released from the hospital he would be immediately taken back into custody by the Ripley County Sheriff's Department. That happened on Wednesday and he remains incarcerated at the Ripley County Jail.

Hertel noted that when Eaton signed the order to release Cole, he was standing in for Judge Taul, and wasn't familiar with the process.

The mother of the alleged victim was angry and went to the media last week after she found out Cole had been released on his own recognizance. The story aired on WCPO's Channel 12 news, WRBI Radio, and was published in The Versailles Republican last week.

Cole was initially arrested February 23, and charged with two counts of child molestation. He is also awaiting trial on an unrelated charge for Possession of Cocaine. He was arrested by Batesville Police in September of 2004 on that charge.