Judge increases bail for murder and rape suspect to $850,000 – WSOC TV

The case

The details of the case are disturbing.

According to court documents, Wright was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape last month. He was arrested in Rock Hill and extradited to the Mecklenburg County Jail on June 27, where he spent about 17 hours before being released at 2:15 p.m. on June 28.

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The charges stem from the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Michelle Lynn Schechter on June 16. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said she was killed at the Econo Lodge on Glenwood Drive near Interstate 85.

According to recently released court documents, prosecutors said that when emergency responders arrived, they found Schechter “lying on the bed largely naked. She had a gunshot wound to the right side of her back, just below her shoulder blade.”

When a first responder saw further evidence around her, he “asked the victim if she had been raped.” She “responded yes.”

Police said she was taken to a hospital where she later died. Channel 9’s Hunter Sáenz learned Tuesday that she leaves behind a 9-year-old daughter.

According to court documents, Wright told police he was attacked by another person in the hotel room when he tried to meet the victim for sex. However, police said surveillance video did not show anyone else entering or leaving the room.

Bond issued

According to court documents, Wright was arrested 11 days after Schechter’s murder. At his first court appearance, Judge Jennifer Fleet sentenced him to $50,000 bail. He paid 10% of that and was released from jail just 17 hours after his arrest.

Prosecutors considered this unfair and demanded that his bail be modified or revoked.

“I don’t know how anyone could believe he’s not a danger to the public,” said Assistant District Attorney Nikki Robinson.

But Wright’s defense attorneys said his original bail was appropriate.

“Given his conduct here today, it is clear to me that Judge Fleet’s decision was fair and ensured the safety of the public,” said defense attorney Chrissy Clarke-Peckham.

On Tuesday, Judge Reggie McKnight finally agreed with the prosecution and released Wright back into prison on $850,000 bail, $750,000 for the murder charge and $100,000 for the rape charge. McKnight said Wright’s original bail was “not appropriate” given the seriousness of the charges.

Wright was handcuffed again and led out of the courtroom by officers.

McKnight told Wright’s attorney that there may be another bail hearing on the matter in the future.

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