Ryan Newell released from Sedgwick County Jail

December 07, 2010|By Megan Strader and Chris Durden | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — Ryan Newell is now out of jail. Newell walked out of the Sedgwick County Jail Tuesday afternoon. He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to report to the VA hospital in Wichita.

Newell's $500,000 bond still stands.

Newell, an Afghanistan veteran, was arrested last week after officers saw him following members of the Westboro Baptist Church. The group is known for picketing at soldier funerals.

-----------------------------

Original Story

Before appearing on a courtroom TV, Ryan Newell appeared on your TV. Eyewitness News covered him as he returned home last summer. He was branded a war hero after losing both his legs in Afghanistan. An experience some people say is to blame for his actions last week.

"The focus is to get Ryan out of jail and get him into a facility that can help him deal with the stresses of war." said Jerry Jackson, who's raising money for Newell's defense.

Newell was arrested last week after officers saw him following members of the Westboro Baptist Church, a group known for picketing at soldier funerals.

Newell faces six charges, including conspiracy to commit aggravated battery, stalking and multiple weapons violations.

"There's no one condoning the actions that led up to today, by any means, but here's a soldier that needs help and we're going to reach out and give me the help he needs, to the best of our ability and then some," said Jackson.

Withing Days of Newell's arrest, Jackson established a Facebook page in support of the veteran and a fund to help pay his legal fees. He says he's received phone calls and emails from across the country from people wanting to help.

Enough support that any money, not needed by Newell, will go towards establishing the American Veteran Hope Program. It help make sure veterans get the help they need when returning home from war.

"We're going to continue to build this so we're there to help the next one, and they're standing out there with a number and we just have to get there and get them."

|

|

|