JUDGE HANSBROUGH AGREES TO REDUCE BOND
Joshua Clark, 18, of Platte City, charged with making a shooting threat at Platte County High School and whose bond was at one time $100,000 cash only, is out of custody and on house arrest with GPS monitoring.
At a hearing on June 8, with no objection from prosecutors, Judge Ann Hansbrough–who is now handling the case–granted Clark’s request for 10% posting on the $100,000 bond with bond conditions of house arrest and GPS monitoring prior to release. The only exceptions for the house arrest are for court appearances and his attorney’s office, with prior notification.
Clark was able to post the $10,000 and was released under the conditions.
His next court appearance in the case is set for July 13.
Originally being held on a $10,000 cash-only bond, Clark on May 17 asked the court for a bond modification. At that time the case was being heard by retiring Judge Dennis Eckold. Eckold denied Clark’s request for a decrease in bond and instead increased the bond amount from $10,000 cash only to $100,000 cash only.
Then on Monday, May 22, the defendant and his attorney appeared via video. Clark requested a return to the original bond amount. Prosecutors did not oppose the requested modification from the defendant, as long as bond conditions remained in place. But Eckold denied the request, leaving the bond amount at $100,000 cash only.
The case on May 25 was assigned to new Division V Judge Amy Ashelford. Ashelford, a former assistant county prosecutor familiar with the case, recused herself and the case was then reassigned to Hansbrough.
Clark on Tuesday, May 16 was charged by prosecutors with making a terrorist threat upon the high school. He is charged with a terrorist threat in the third degree, a misdemeanor.
The school threat matter was investigated by the Platte City Police Department, which had received information about a threat being made against the high school. Platte City police officers and Platte County R-3 school resource officers increased their presence at the high school on Friday, May 12.
According to court documents that include a probable cause statement by Det. James Tharp of the Platte City Police Department, on Sunday, May 14 witnesses saw Clark at Jeff’s Hardware Store in Platte City. Clark allegedly asked a witness if she had gone to school on Friday, May 12. According to court papers, when the witness indicated that she did, Clark allegedly stated: “You didn’t use me as an excuse not to go?”
Court papers allege further conversation ensued in which Clark allegedly said “What if I would have done it?” The witness says Clark at one point said “Tomorrow’s (Monday) the day.” According to court documents, in an interview with police Clark denied making that statement.
Clark was interviewed by police on Monday, May 15. At the conclusion of the interview he was arrested and placed on a 24 hour investigative hold. The next day, the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office filed the criminal charge.
Police described Clark as “a former student” at the school.