Bond reduction hearing Monday for Troy arson, murder suspect
By Pat Pratt
ppratt@timestribunenews.com
A hearing is set for Monday to determine if a man accused of first-degree murder, attempted murder and arson in Troy will be granted a bond reduction.
Attorneys for Michael Sloan Jr., 40, will present arguments for a $400,000 bond with a 10% allowance at 1 p.m. before Associate Circuit Judge Neil Schroeder. Madison County district attorneys are asking that Sloan be held without the possibility of bond.
In a Nov. 15 motion, district attorneys wrote that the proof of Sloan’s crimes is evident, as is the danger posed to a surviving victim in the case, Courtney Tomlinson.
“…the defendant poses a real and present danger to the physical safety of Courtney Tomlinson, in that he attempted to murder her by pouring gasoline on her in an attempt to set her on fire…,” reads the motion by Assistant State Attorney Lauren Maricle.
Sloan’s bond was originally set at $1 million. In response to the state’s motion, Circuit Judge Kyle Napp on Tuesday revoked that amount and ordered he be held without the possibility of bond leading up to the Monday hearing.
Sloan was living with Courtney Tomlinson prior to his arrest, according to a Madison County State’s Attorney news release. On Sept. 22, during a domestic disturbance at their residence Sloan allegedly held her at knifepoint, used zip ties to restrain her and poured gasoline on her.
Courtney Tomlinson was able to escape and Sloan was then seen carrying a can of gasoline to a duplex occupied by her mother in the 500 block of Wood Thrush Street in Troy. There, he allegedly set the duplex on fire, resulting in the death of 69-year-old Susanne Tomlinson.
Sloan was also injured in the fire, which is the crux of defense attorneys arguments for a bond reduction. Following the incident, he was treated in a St. Louis area hospital for burns. He was released Oct. 31 and booked at the Madison County Jail.
In a bond reduction motion filed Nov. 4, defense attorney Justin Kuehn writes that doctors said Sloan’s burn rehabilitation is not medically necessary, that is he would not die without it. However, the rehabilitation would greatly improve his long-term health.
“Based on his current medical condition, the defendant is neither a flight risk nor a danger,” the motion reads. “He is ambulatory. However, he is severely burned to an extent that significant movement would be very difficult. Mr. Sloan’s burns also make him highly conspicuous.”
If the bond reduction is granted, Sloan would post bail and make his own arrangements to seek burn therapy, according to the motion. In the alternative, attorneys for Sloan ask the court for a modified temporary release to an inpatient facility.
“Prior to leaving the hospital, the defendant’s medical staff discussed facility options that were willing to treat Mr. Salon despite his circumstances,” the motion reads. “There is reportedly an inpatient facility in Shiloh, Illinois that will accept him.”
