Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

Earlier story: Family upset Recklein is out on bail (2/27/09)

EDWARDSVILLE -- Family and friends of a woman police say was raped and badly beaten at Horseshoe Lake State Park last year are upset that the man charged in her attack has been released from jail on a reduced bail.

Keith Recklein, 30, was released from jail pending trial after a Madison County judge reduced his bail Tuesday (Feb. 25) from $300,000 to $100,000. Recklein's family posted the required 10 percent cash bond --- $10,000 --- for his release.

Recklein had been in jail since his arrest in October. Prosecutors did not object to his bail reduction.

"He didn't have a criminal history, so we didn't object," said Stephanee Smith, a spokeswoman for State's Attorney Bill Mudge. She noted that one of the conditions of Recklein's release is that he have no contact with the woman.

In a motion filed Monday seeking the bail reduction, Recklein's attorney, Charles Stegmeyer, of Belleville, argued that Recklein is not a threat to anyone. He also argued that Recklein is not likely to flee because, for one thing, Recklein has hired a lawyer.

A park employee found the badly beaten woman lying on the ground at the park early May 1, 2008. Detectives have said the woman, 21 at the time, had gone to the park to help a friend and did not know her attacker. The woman has said she was knocked unconscious while her attacker was beating her on the back of the head.

The woman still has unpaid medical bills. Friends and family have held events to raise funds for her, and two more events have been planned: a quarter auction March 22 at Swansea Improvement Association and a mouse race May 9 at Shiloh Eagles. Information is available from Kelly Crocken: 235-8853, 604-2796 or kellycrocken@yahoo.com.

Crocken, a friend of the woman, said friends and relatives are considering having a petition drive or protest in response to Recklein's release. "I think it's horrible," Crocken said.

Recklein is charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Associate Judge James Hackett approved the bail reduction.

Contact reporter Brian Brueggemann at bbrueggemann@bnd.com or 692-9481.