Jordyn Dumont’s Accused Killer Gets Bond

GASTONIA, N.C. – There was an audience in a Gaston County courtroom Thursday, there to keep tabs on Billy McCullen. He was led into the room in shackles and faced Judge Jesse Caldwell.

As McCullen started blankly ahead, his attorney, Brent Ratchford, spoke on his client’s behalf. He said, “At this time, your Honor, he would enter a plea of not guilty.”

Because Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell has already said he will not seek the death penalty in this case, McCullen is entitled to bond, under law. Ratchford argued for what he thought was a reasonable amount. He said, “We would expect something in the neighborhood of $100,000. If that is granted, I can tell you Mr. McCullen cannot make it. But that is what we would request at this point in time.”

The state, unswayed by McCullen’s alleged ties to the community, cited his criminal background involving drugs and alcohol and the nature of this crime. Assistant District Attorney Debbie Gulledge told the judge, “He killed a child. There’s nothing more dangerous than that.” She also said, “The state feels it has a very strong case against the defendant.”

Gulledge requested a $2,000,000 bond. The judge agreed. “The court sets a secured bond in the amount of $2,000,000,” said Caldwell.

After signing court records, McCullen was escorted from the courtroom.

Outside, the Guardians of the Children told reporters it was hard to see McCullen in person and not let emotion boil over. Chip Rollins says, “You wanna get up. We have to keep our composure.”

Theresa Presslar was unable to control her emotion, as she remembered the little girl. She said through tears, “I used to keep her a lot and just to see her gone, it really hurts.”

The Assistant DA told the court there was no evidence McCullen was intoxicated at the time of the crime, but she also said there were controlled substances in the house, including marijuana plants. Gulledge said there will be no plea offer made in the case and it will go to trial in late 2017 or early 2018.

The judge listed other pre-trial release conditions, if McCullen were to post bond:
-Can’t leave Gaston Co. without permission from the court.
-Will be electronically monitored.
-Will have a curfew.
-Will get a job.
-Will be drug-tested.
-Will not consume drugs or alcohol.
-Will not have any deadly weapons.
-Will not have any contact with “immediate family members of the alleged victim.” (This would include Jaylene Dumont, Jordyn’s mother.)
-Can be searched without warrants (vehicle, person, premise).

McCullen’s attorney also told the judge that his client’s reading glasses were destroyed. Ratchford requested the court allow McCullen to undergo an eye exam and get new prescription glasses. Ratchford told the court that without the glasses, McCullen could not read anything and therefore could not participate in his own defense. The judge granted that request.

McCullen will be back in court for an administrative hearing at the end of January.