Macon County Judge Lindsey Shelton releases 3-time home invader who shot someone under ‘SAFE-T’ Act

Garold Leggions, 35, of Decatur, stands accused of a spree of armed home invasions. He allegedly forced his way into multiple apartments, threatened victims with a gun, fired shots, and hit one man in the leg with a bullet. This wasn’t his first rodeo. Police tracked him down after he was already wanted for failing to appear on a prior residential burglary charge.

Macon County court records and his history show a career criminal with multiple prior arrests and convictions for burglaries, felon in possession, and related offenses stretching back years. This is the kind of repeat offender the system is supposed to keep off the streets – especially one who escalates to shooting innocent people in their own homes.

Yet, after initially ruling that Leggions posed a real and present threat to the community and needed to stay detained, Judge Lindsey A. Shelton flipped and granted pretrial release under the SAFE-T Act. No cash bail. Just home confinement with GPS monitoring and a promise not to contact victims. He’ll be back on the streets – in the same neighborhoods his victims live in – while awaiting trial.

Judge Lindsey A Shelton (now Lindsey Craycraft) doesn’t live in the Decatur where Leggions and his ilk operate. She resides in a mega-nice house in Forsyth – a safe, upscale enclave far removed from the consequences of her high-minded, elitist sorority girl decisions.   Yeah, a five bedroom, four bath, 6400 square foot home with an estimated value of well over a half-mil.   She doesn’t have to worry about a three-time home invader kicking in her door and waving guns around her family at 2 a.m.  Residents of Decatur, the largest town in Macon County, certainly do.

This is exactly why Guns Save Life has fought tooth and nail against the SAFE-T Act and cashless bail insanity pushed by Pritzker and the Chicago machine. It prioritizes criminals over victims. It releases predators back into society with a slap on the wrist and a monitoring bracelet they can probably cut off. Law-abiding citizens – especially gun owners who exercise their rights under the Second Amendment – are left to fend for themselves.

Illinois families deserve better. Home invasion with a firearm should mean real consequences, not a revolving door. Repeat violent offenders who shoot people shouldn’t get a “do-over” because some judge decided the law written by out-of-touch politicians demands it.

If you spot this judge shopping in Forsyth, feel free to say “hi.” Better yet, politely but firmly ask her how she sleeps at night knowing she cut loose a guy accused of terrorizing families at gunpoint.  Remind her that her decisions have real consequences – AND VICTIMS – real people whose homes were violated and lives endangered.  And likely more.  

Contact your legislators. Demand repeal or serious reform of the SAFE-T Act. Cite this case as a poster-child example of how this law fails our residents.  Support candidates who will repeal the SAFE-T Act and appoint judges that put public safety first. Join Guns Save Life – train, carry, and stay vigilant. Because in Illinois under this regime, the police can’t always be there, and the courts sure as hell won’t protect you.

Your life, your family, your home. Defend them.

More info from Judici:

Terms of release for Leggions:
1. Appear in Court on the next scheduled hearing date, and thereafter as ordered by the Court until discharged or final order of court;
2. Not violate any criminal statute of any jurisdiction;
3. Submit himself or herself to the orders and process of the Court, including meeting with your attorney as directed;
4. Notify the Circuit Clerk in writing of any change of address;
5. Report to Pretrial Services upon release from custody and thereafter as directed;
6. The Court orders home confinement as a condition of release. The court finds that there is no less restrictive condition or
combination of conditions that would reasonably ensure the Defendant appears in court or that would protect an identifiable person(s) from the imminent threat of serious physical harm.

Yes, Judge Lindsey…  there is a condition that would reasonably ensure identifiable persons (the people of Decatur) from imminent threat of serious physical harm:  It’s called keeping this perp in jail.

You should try it sometime.

GPS Electronic Monitoring Order entered and on file.
7. Not leave the State of Illinois without permission of the Court;
8. Have no contact directly or indirectly with [victim’s name redacted] nor go to [500-block of] W. Macon Street, Decatur, IL.;
Have no contact directly or indirectly with [victim’s name redacted]
nor go to [2700 block of] N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL.;
Have no contact directly or indirectly with [victim’s name redacted]
nor go to [800 block] N. Church Street, Decatur, IL.

Surprisingly, nowhere in there is restrictions on using drugs or alcohol.  Or using profanity.

We’ll be watching to see if Mr. Leggions returns to his past employment practices of robbing people at gunpoint.  If that happens, we’ll be right there to let you know and further shame Judge Lindsey.

And people wonder why Illinois is facing massive out-migration.