TRI-CITIES, Wash. – “Nobody could predict that it would end this way,” said Benton County Prosecutor Eric Eisinger following the ending of the manhunt for Elias Huizar. “I mean, this was an incredibly tragic outcome.”
Several unanswered questions remained following the murder of Amber Rodriguez and Angelica Santos, abduction of Roman Santos and Huizar’s eventual death following a police pursuit.
Why did Huizar still have a gun after his previous rape charges? Why was his bail set at $250,000? How was he offered bail in the first place?
Eisinger said how Huizar got a weapon following his initial arrest is still under investigation, as the former Yakima police officer’s firearms were confiscated in February.
“His firearms were seized by SWAT when they were called out to the residence to make the arrest in February,” said Eisinger. “The court entered an order prohibiting him from possessing firearms.”
As for setting bail for any case, Eisinger says the court looks at the circumstances surrounding the case. In Huizar’s rape case, the two main factors were the risk that he might not appear in court and the likelihood that he would commit a violent crime.
A judge set his bail at $250,000 due to his lack of criminal history and his connections to the community, like having a home and family nearby.
Eisinger says the bail was set at an appropriate amount, however Huizar happened to make that bail.
“Bail being set at a quarter million dollars was, you know, was a way to ensure his reappearance in court again,” said Eisinger. “I don’t think West Richland or our office or anybody anticipated something this terrible.”
As for why Huizar was given bail at all, Washington is a right to bail state, with the only exceptions being if the charge is a capital crime or punishable by life in prison.
