Man Charged with Murder of Girlfriend and 5-Week-Old Son Placed on Suicide Watch

A Pinellas County judge on Sunday denied bail to Craig Wall, 34, who is accused of killing his 29-year-old girlfriend, Laura Taft, and their 5-week-old son, Craig Jr. Wall was transported to the Pinellas County Jail after being arrested in Sumter County last week on a charge of violating a domestic violence injunction. According to sheriff's spokeswoman Marianne Pasha, Wall has been placed on a suicide watch in a single-person cell at the jail's health care facility. He was booked on a charge of first-degree murder after police said he stabbed Taft to death early Wednesday at her Clearwater apartment.

Key Takeaways:

• Craig Wall was denied bail by a Pinellas County judge on Sunday and was transported to the Pinellas County Jail, where he is being held on a charge of first-degree murder.
• The 34-year-old suspect was arrested in Sumter County last week on a charge of violating a domestic violence injunction and had been previously let go after paying $1,000 in bail.
• Wall has a history of violence, including a 14-year prison sentence for armed robbery charges, but this was not mentioned at a bail hearing for the domestic violence charge.
• The suspect is also being investigated in the death of his 5-week-old son, Craig Jr., who died on February 6, and he has been considered a suspect in the case.
• A police report called Wall a suspect in the baby's death, but he has not been charged in connection with the case.
• The state attorney for Pinellas and Pasco counties, Bernie McCabe, said he was "dumbfounded" by the mishandling of the domestic violence hearing that led to Wall's release.

Statistics:

• 33 hours: The amount of time between Craig Wall's release from jail and the death of his girlfriend, Laura Taft.
• $1,000: The amount of bail paid by Craig Wall after being arrested for violating a domestic violence injunction.
• 14 years: The length of time Craig Wall spent in prison for armed robbery charges.
• 5 weeks: The age of Craig Jr., the 5-week-old son who died on February 6.

Sources:

• "Craig Wall, 34, was returned to Pinellas on Sunday." (Exact caption and photo credit not available)
• Pasha, Marianne. "Those deemed at risk for suicide must wear a paper sheet for clothing and are monitored constantly."
• Bay News 9. "Craig Wall was taken to the Pinellas County Jail on Sunday morning after a Sumter County judge denied him bail."
• Harwell, Drew. "State attorney 'dumbfounded' by mishandling of domestic violence hearing." (Published date not available)