State v. Collazo, 02-2568 (2003)

DECISION

This matter is before the Court for a hearing on bail. A Providence County grand jury indicted the Defendant, Robert A. Collazo, charging him with the murder of Brian Araujo, in violation of R.I. General Laws §§11-23-1 and 11-23-2.

In considering the question of bail on behalf of the Defendant, the analysis begins with Article I, section 9 of the Rhode Island Constitution. Article 1, section 9 provides that "all persons ought to be bailed by sufficient surety, unless for offenses punishable by imprisonment for life . . . when proof of guilt is evident or the presumption is great."

The…