White River Junction
Windsor Superior Court Judge Theresa DiMauro ordered Wayne Keough held on $100,000 bail, saying a “substantial” amount was warranted in this case.
“(He) is without question a risk of flight,” she said from the bench, adding that Keough has not been “cooperative at all” with the court process thus far.
Keough’s defense attorney, Erik Braghirol, pushed for a lower bail amount, citing his ties to the area, while Windsor County Deputy State’s Attorney Glenn Barnes recommended $100,000.
Barnes read aloud some of Keough’s past Vermont criminal record, which includes convictions for escape, assault and several probation, parole and condition of release violations.
Keough entered not guilty pleas to felony counts of eluding law enforcement, driving under the influence (third offense) and test refusal. He also entered pleas to misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest (subsequent offense) and driving a vehicle with a suspended licence.
Keough, who was wrapped in a blanket and discernibly yawned at times throughout the hearing, also pleaded not guilty to a felony escape charge. He was on escape status from Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt., at the time of the chase for failing to abide by residence and curfew restrictions in another court case. For about a month, corrections officers didn’t know where he was, Barnes said.
New Hampshire authorities are in the process of filing charges against Keough, who Claremont police tried to pull over early Monday morning because he was the suspect in a carjacking with a knife at Wal-Mart over the weekend.
Keough led police on a chase in Claremont and wove in and out of traffic at speeds of 120 mph on Interstate 91 south into Springfield. He crashed at the intersection of Main and South streets and attempted to continue on, but the car he was driving was stuck in soft grass, according to an affidavit filed in the case. He resisted arrest, forcing two police officers to deploy their stun guns, the affidavit states.
Keough refused a breathalyzer test, but told police he had 18 to 20 beers, according to court documents.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.