Ludtke cash bond lowered to $75,000, after hearing

Mitchell Ludtke, 41, Holcombe (left), and his attorney, requested a bond modification, during a hearing May 24. Judge James Isaacson lowered the bond from $200,000 to $75,000 cash, but said a significant bond is still needed to protect the public. Photo by Julia Wolf

By Julia Wolf

Mitchell Ludtke, 41, Holcombe, appeared in court for a bail/ bond hearing May 24.

Ludtke faces three charges of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, one charge of Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer, two counts of Criminal Damage to Highway/Vehicle and two counts of Bail Jumping – Felony.

Ludtke is accused of leading a high speed chase that started in the Town of Birch Creek and ended in Dunn County, in April. During the incident, Ludtke is also accused of swerving at marked police vehicles and intentionally hitting, and disabling, others.

The hearing was in response to the defense’s request to modify the $200,000 cash bond.

Defense attorney Joel Larimore says Ludtke does have a good record of coming to court and has strong family ties to the area. Larimore also says Ludtke’s family owns a farm and Ludtke helps with planting crops.

“And he’s not available to plant those crops,” said Larimore. Larimore asked for a signature bond and said Ludtke could raise $5,000, if he needed to.

“The bail, as it is, is quite large,” said Larimore. “It is what you’d expect to see in some kind of homicide case and this isn’t that.”

District attorney Wade Newell pointed out that appearance in court is no longer the only reason for bond. The other, if the crime in question is violent, is to protect the community from serious harm.

“Law enforcement is still part of the community,” said Newell.

Newell says Ludtke already had an open felony case, at the time when the incident occurred, which shows Ludtke is not able to comply with bond.

“The amount is not how much he can post,” said Newell, adding the protection of the community and appearance in court are the two factors to consider.

Newell says he didn’t hear anything that justifies changing the bail amount.

Larimore reminded everyone that the charges are just allegations, at this time.

Judge James Isaacson says, by statute, it is a violent crime.

“We’re lucky this is not a homicide,” said Isaacson.

Isaacson says the fact that Ludtke is alleged to have committed the crimes, while already on bond, is something he thinks he needs to take into consideration. He says the alleged actions put a number of the public at risk, which he says requires a significant bond.

Isaacson modified the bond to $75,000 cash, with the same conditions as the previous bond.

Ludtke is scheduled to appear in court next for a preliminary hearing Monday, June 12, at the Chippewa County Courthouse.