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Bail Set For Alleged Attempted Murder Suspect Corey Hamersley

Last updated on Thursday, July 12, 2012

(BLOOMINGTON) - Attempted murder suspect Corey J. Hamersley, 21, who police say shot 32 bullets into a house, parked cars and at law enforcement in May, was granted a $500,000 surety or $5,000 cash bond Monday as long as he abides by a list of restrictions, according to the Monroe County Circuit Court Three.

But before he can post the bond, Monroe County Community Corrections must contact Community Corrections in Hamilton County. Once released from the Monroe County Jail on bail, Hamersley said he plans to live with his mother in Sheridan, Ind., and enter a drug rehabilitation program.

Hamersley appeared in Monroe County Circuit Court for a bail review hearing Thursday before Senior Judge Douglas Bridges, who said Hamersley would have to wait three days before a determination of bond reduction.

Restrictions on his bond will require corrections officials to monitor Hamersley with GPS tracking, implemented immediately upon his release from jail. He will also be required to submit to home evaluation, must be under supervision 24 hours a day and he will not be permitted to leave his mother's residence unless approved.

Hamersley will also be restricted from consuming, or coming in contact with someone who is consuming alcohol or illegal substances. He will be restricted from firearm use and from making contact with victims.

Hamersley was arrested May 11 after allegedly firing 32 rounds from a 9mm semi-automatic handgun at the 300 block of East 15th Street into the back of a residence, at vehicles and, after police arrived, at the officers. Throughout the incident, Hamersley was naked and allegedly tripping on LSD.

Police then shot Hamersley in both legs. He was transported to IU Health Bloomington Hospital and, following surgery for gunshot wounds, to jail.

Hamersley faces felony charges of attempted murder, criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm and possession of a controlled substance. He also faces misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and resisting law enforcement.

Prior to the incident, Hamersley was an IU student studying exercise science. According to the IU website, Hamersley was recognized as a University Division Scholar of Highest Distinction for having a grade point average between 3.9 and 4.0. He has since been suspended from IU because he is a threat to students, said Mark Land, associate vice president of university communications.

During Thursday's bail review hearing, Hamersley sat motionless in the courtroom wearing a black and white jail uniform.

Hamersley, his mother Tonya Martin, clinical psychologist Richard Lawlor of Nashville, Ind., and private investigator David Hough of Pittsboro, Ind., testified in Hamersley's defense.

Hamersley told Bridges he does not have intentions of harming himself or others and does not have access to weapons in Sheridan. Without warning, Hamersley said he would agree to submit to random drug screenings and inspections of his parents' home for alcohol, drugs or weapons as a condition of being released on bail.

"I myself probably cannot afford any sort of bail, but my parents might be able to afford $1,000, but I honestly do not know," Hamersley told Bridges.

When Martin testified before Bridges, she said the family has $5,000 in savings. She does not own her home or any other assets. Martin, who said she is a licensed practical nurse, said Hamersley's health insurance will cover inpatient rehabilitation at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis as long as the rehab is not court ordered.

Although residing in his parents' home, Martin said Hamersley would be alone about three hours a day, but she said she could make arrangements for supervision. Also, he would not have a cell phone and would have computer access in the home's living room. Martin said she has the ability to drug test Hamersley herself.

During Lawlor's testimony, he said Hamersley smoked up to three marijuana joints a day while studying at IU, high not only while studying but also while taking exams. Lawlor said Hamersley also experimented with LSD and Xanax.

Lawlor told Bridges he interviewed Hamersley in the jail, where Hamersley said he met with friends at a bar the night before the shooting. That night, Hamersley told Lawlor he drank alcohol, smoked marijuana and dropped acid. He said he did not remember how he returned home that evening.

But Lawlor said he identified Hamersley as an intelligent individual.

"I would estimate his IQ between 115 and 125," Lawlor said. "He did get into drugs, and he got into drugs heavily."

Although Hamersley told Lawlor he does not have memory of the shooting incident, he recognized in the hospital that he was in trouble.

Hough told Bridges he and Martin distributed a survey throughout Sheridan, identifying that nobody in the community feared Hamersley.

"We just want a reasonable bail so we can properly prepare a defense for this defendant," said Hamersley's defense attorney Rafael Ramirez of Indianapolis.

Corey Joseph Hamersley.JPG

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