Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that a letter was submitted by Catholic Charities on behalf of Daniel Haynes. We regret the error.
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CORTLAND, N.Y. — A Cortland County judge granted bail Tuesday to a Virgil man accused of killing his 6-year-old daughter in a car crash last April.
Daniel A. Haynes III was indicted by a grand jury last month on 31 charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. Haynes previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Judge William Ames set Haynes' bail at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond. Cortland County District Attorney Mark Suben had asked the judge to set bail at $500,000 cash or $1,000,000 bond, which he said is typical for a murder case.
During Haynes' court appearance Tuesday, Suben read a transcribed phone call that Haynes had made to Ashley Ingrahm, the mother of their children, while he was at the Cortland County jail.
"When I get out of here, we're getting out of here, Ashley," the transcript read. "When I get out of here, we're going, I promise. I can't make this better, but I am going to make things the best I can."
Suben also argued that Haynes' criminal history suggests he has failed to appear in other court cases and considered him "a very significant flight risk."
Haynes' attorney, Emil Rossi, said the content of their phone conversation was related to the couple's residence in Cortland County, rather than fleeing the country.
"You don't make an escape plan on a recorded jail conversation," Rossi said.
Judge Ames concluded that the recorded phone conversation was equivocal, offering no substantial proof to support either theory. When granting bail to Haynes, Ames said he considered a letter submitted by a pastor at Calvary Baptist Church. About 20 friends and family members of Haynes were present during his court appearance Tuesday.
Ashley Ingrahm, the mother of Haynes' children, previously sent a letter to Judge Ames asking him to grant bail to Haynes. Judge Ames said Tuesday he also received letters sent by Ms. Ingrahm from two of her young children – letters that left him "disturbed somewhat," he said.
"To me, that's unconscionable ... For them to have to write this letter could do further emotional harm to the children," he said.
Haynes was remanded to Cortland County jail following his court appearance Tuesday. A future court date in the case has not been scheduled.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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