Nicholas Campbell

A Lyndora man, charged in eight active cases — ranging from witness intimidation, endangering children, trespass and contempt of court — remains held in the Butler County Prison after a bail reduction motion was denied in county court on Wednesday.

Nicholas J. Campbell, 35, remains held in the county prison on a combined $35,000 bail after the motion was denied by Judge Timothy McCune.

Campbell’s attorney, Armand Cingolani III, argued that his client is refuting the charges, but he is unable to pay the bail to be released. “He cannot afford to be free even though he believes he should be free,” Cingolani said.

Campbell testified that if released, he has permanent housing as well as a job waiting for him with a private contractor.

He said the experience of being in jail “has definitely been an eye opener for me” and a “wake up call” to health issues.

“I need to grow up and take care of myself and get back on my feet,” he said.

Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz argued against the reduction, stating that when released, Campbell doesn’t show up for court hearings, which is evident in the many bench warrants that have been issued in these cases, as well as committing more criminal acts.

“Bail is set not only to ensure that he shows up for court, which he doesn’t, but also to protect society, and every time he gets out he gets new charges,” she said.

McCune agreed, citing the new crimes and multiple bench warrants in the open cases. However, he did say Campbell could be considered for the county Behavioral Health Court if applicable.

Campbell was charged in the cases after incidents on June 4, 2016; Dec. 21, 2016; Jan. 21, Feb. 12, July 9, Aug. 31 and two on Sept. 11.

The June, December, January and February charges include misdemeanor defiant trespass and summary disorderly conduct after Butler City police said Campbell showed up at his mother’s apartment on those dates, where he had previously been barred. He was released on his own recognizance in all four cases, and jury selection is scheduled for Oct. 19.

Campbell was then charged with three counts of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of children by Butler City police on July 9. He was arraigned on those charges on Sept. 25, with bail set at $5,000, and is scheduled for formal arraignment on Nov. 7.

Campbell has been in the county prison since Aug. 31 when Butler police arrested him for allegedly again breaking into his mother’s apartment. He was charged with felony criminal trespass in that incident, and is scheduled for formal arraignment on Oct. 24. Bail was set at $25,000 in that case.

The contempt charge stems from Campbell’s preliminary hearing on Sept. 11 for the above trespass case, when police say after his bail reduction request was denied by District Judge William Fullerton. Campbell ripped up a notice of his next court appearance and called the judge derogatory names, police said.

Fullerton imposed the contempt charge and a 30-day prison term. Campbell is scheduled for a summary appeal trial on Nov. 15, after appealing that decision,

While moving him, police said he slammed his head against a wall, and while being taken out of the courtroom and back to prison, he “cursed at his mother and continued to act in a resisting manner.” Police then charged him with felony intimidating a witness, misdemeanor resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He is scheduled for formal arraignment on those charges on Nov. 7. Bail was set at $5,000.

Campbell was the inmate who was being brought into the prison earlier this year when, according to a video, he was thrown to the ground by city police Sgt. William Mayhugh. The incident led to Mayhugh’s firing, though a review of the incident concluded that no charges should be filed against the officer. Mayhugh was recently hired as a county sheriff’s deputy.