Anahuac, Chambers County – After hiring two new attorneys, Sarah Hartsfield, 48, is again hoping for a reduction of her $4 million bond. Hartsfield has been in the Chambers County jail since February, when she was indicted on murder charges.
Hartsfield is accused of killing her fifth husband, Joseph, who died from complications of toxic effects of insulin. Hartsfield’s new attorneys, James Reeves and Ken Bigham, filed an application for Writ of Habeas Corpus, essentially arguing their client’s bond is unconstitutionally high. Prosecutors filed a motion to quash the application, arguing her bond has already been reduced from $5 million, and she has presented no new evidence as to why the amount should be further reduced.
Prosecutors also argued the defense team’s writ was not properly filed. Instead of arguing the point, defense attorneys agreed to refile the Writ and the hearing was reset for Sept. 29. Neither the prosecutor nor defense attorneys spoke publicly after Friday’s hearing.