Jackson hotelier allegedly hired 'Batman'

By DEE DEE DUDLEY & GIL BRADY
JH Radio NEWS/The Cowboy Times
9.19.06

Filed 8:15 a.m.
Updated 10:55 a.m.
Updated 3:45 p.m.

JACKSON, Wyo. (CT) -- A local hotel owner was arrested Sunday night after a former employee was attacked by "several men weilding a baseball bat" in the parking lot of a Jackson grocery store, according to a police affidavit.

Police say the victim said the assailant got out of a small black car with California plates wearing a black ski mask and began beating him with the bat. The bat broke, police say, and the victim managed to pull off the ski mask as the two scuffled. The attacker then grabbed the mask and got back into the vehicle, which then drove away, police say. The victim suffered minor injuries but reportedly refused medical attention.

A baseball bat, still wrapped in cellophane, was recovered at the scene, the affidavit stated. Printed on the side of the bat was the word "Tee-ball."

Shortly after that incident, law enforcement said they responded to a call about a vehicle that was off the road south of Horse Creek station.

Police say the car matched the description of an alleged suspect from the assault, and the victim positively identified the driver as 54-year-old Ray Segal, the victim's former employer.

Jackson Police Sgt. Larry Compton said that Segal accused the employee of stealing thousands of dollars from him, and admitted to hiring the out-of-state hit man. According to charging documents filed Monday by the county prosecutor's office, Segal faces three counts: felony accessory to aggravated assault and battery; felony conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and battery; and stalking, a misdemeanor.

Each felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and a $10,000 fine, or both.

Making his initial appearance before 9th Circuit Court Magistrate Frank Hess on Monday afternoon, Segal, as is customary for prisoners here, was escorted by sheriff's deputies and appeared in arm shackles. Segal took a seat without counsel. After Hess advised Segal of his rights and reviewed the charges against him, Deputy Teton Prosecuting Attorney Brian Hultman told the court that Segal expressed no remorse for his actions to law enforcement during his arrest.

"I do have remorse for what I did," Segal said, adding, "at the time I was arrested I was upset" and "overstepped my bounds."

Reading from a police report in court, Hultman said that Segal paid the assailant $500.

During bail negotiations, Hultman told the court that the "allegations are serious and shocking" and that bail should be set at such a level as to "protect the community" and the safety of the victim and others who use public areas such as grocery store parking lots where the alleged assault reportedly occurred. Hultman said his concern for public safety resulted in part from Segal having purportedly driven from Salt Lake City to Jackson prior to the alleged attack. Hultman also said he was concerned that because Segal lives in California he might not return for his next court date.

Segal told the court that he had a "sick wife" in California to take care of and that he would return to court.

Hess set bail at $50,000 cash or surety bond and instructed the defendant not to contact the alleged victim. Compton said the suspect's evening could have had an even worse end.

"When the highway patrol and Teton County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene where the car had gone off the road, they found the man out of the vehicle, which was leaning precariously over the edge of the turn-out. That edge drops rather sharply into the Snake River. The car probably would have rolled several times before hitting the water, and it most likely would have cost him his life."

Authorities are looking for the assailant, who reportedly fled the crime scene, and say he is wanted in connection with the attack. The batman-for-hire has been described by authorities as a "large Hispanic man." Additional information about the suspect was unavailable.

As of late Monday, Segal remained in jail. His next scheduled court date is Sept. 28 at 8:45 a.m.