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Free on bail, former shelter worker must take regular polygraph exams By JONEL ALECCIA Released on bail pending a criminal trial, a former youth shelter supervisor accused of sex crimes must submit to monthly polygraph exams, a Jackson County judge ruled Tuesday. The tests are a valuable tool to ensure that Wayne Randall Gatrel, 43, of Medford, complies with the conditions of his release, including no contact with alleged victims or other minors, Judge Ray White decided. Gatrel is scheduled for trial in March. "We do have a duty in making release agreements to protect the public and the victims," said White, who struck down a motion by Gatrel's lawyer, Larry Parker of Medford. The motion could have had far-ranging effects beyond Gatrel's case, including altering release agreements for about half of the 120 released defendants now supervised in Jackson County. Parker argued that the required polygraph exams amount to "compelled interrogation." "Infringement on the right to remain silent is really what the result is," Parker said. But White rejected Parker's claim that pre-trial polygraphs are a violation of defendants' constitutional rights not to incriminate themselves. He agreed with Josephine County Deputy District Attorney Mike Newman, who argued that results of the exams aren't incriminating because they aren't used to revoke release or as evidence in later trials. "If he doesn't want to abide by reasonable conditions, he doesn't have to post bail and be released," Newman argued. Gatrel's case provided a rare platform for arguing the issue, Parker said. The former supervisor at the Community Works Youth Diagnostic Shelter in Talent faces 14 charges - including a dozen sex crimes - in connection with alleged abuse of eight teenagers. But unlike many accused offenders, Gatrel mustered the funds to post a $30,000 bond - 10 percent of his $300,000 bail - to gain release. That allowed the issue of polygraph verification of pre-trial release conditions to be raised, Parker said. Defendants are innocent until proven guilty under American law, of course, and Parker contended that they should be restricted as minimally as possible. "It's the basis of a free society," said Parker, who sported an American flag pin on his lapel and referred to U.S. troops in Afghanistan. "Otherwise, what are we fighting for?" Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.