[T]he father of Joshua Granger, who is charged with sending another man to his death over a romantic rivalry, urged the court on Friday to release his son on bail, but said he wouldn’t be staying in his house while awaiting trial.
Richard Coosiero, Granger’s father, was one of five witnesses — including three police officers — who took the stand during a bail hearing in the case at the Chittenden County criminal court on Friday. Granger is facing two decades in prison for allegedly pushing Jared Streeter off a railroad bridge during a fight.
Coosiero said he would take responsibility for his son if he was released on bail, but that Granger “probably wouldn’t be able to stay with us.”
“My wife and Joshua don’t get along too well,” Coosiero said.
David Wilbur, a South Royalton resident and friend of Granger’s mother, said he’d be willing to open his mobile home to the young man if he was released on bail, and help Granger line up a job with him directing traffic.
The state said the court should keep Granger locked up without bail ahead of the trial, both because of the seriousness of the crime, which carries a minimum sentence 20-year prison sentence, and an unstable family situation that would place him in an unfamiliar environment if released.
The defense suggested Granger be released with conditions including a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and adult supervision. The court said it would make a decision on Granger’s pre-trial status within three weeks.
On June 9, police say, Granger and Streeter met for a pre-arranged fight on Burlington’s Blue Bridge to settle a longstanding feud over a woman. After trading blows, Streeter fell over the edge, falling 60 meters on the rocks below in the Winooski River.
Granger turned himself in to the Winooski Police Department immediately after the altercation and waved his Miranda rights, cooperating fully with police.
Friday was a continuation of both the state and the defense presenting evidence about whether Granger should be released on bail.
Along with the witnesses testimonies, the court allowed a toxicology report into evidence, showing that at the time of the altercation Streeter had alcohol and marijuana in his system.
Attorneys representing Granger said the state has shown insufficient evidence for a second degree murder charge against him, and that an involuntary manslaughter charge would be more appropriate.
Murder in the second degree carried a minimum of 20 years imprisonment and a maximum term of life without parole. Manslaughter brings a maximum fine of $3 million and one to 15 years imprisonment.
