The details are disheartening. Just before the New Year, an elderly couple in was attacked in their home near Randleman.
Mary and Lloyd Cox, who live on Coltrane Mill Rd., say they always thought their home was a safe place. That changed December 30, 2018.
Investigators say 23-year-old Ryan Mendenhall broke into the Cox's house belligerent and intoxicated and was in their home for about 30 minutes throwing things, vandalizing property and hurting the Cox's.
The Cox couple tried to fend him off by pushing on the door. They say Mendenhall eventually left.
Mendenhall is facing several charges including Simple Assault and Battery, Assault on a Female, Breaking and Entering to Terrorize and Injure, and Vandalism.
Mendenhall's bond was set at $1,000, which he paid through a bond agency to get out of jail.
WFMY News 2 wanted to take a look at why some suspects get lower bond rates than others.
According to attorney David Freedman, who is not involved in this case, judges typically consider a few main things when setting bail: whether or not the person is a threat to the public; the seriousness of the crime; and whether the person is a flight risk, which means a person won't sow up at court if they get out of jail.
Most judges in North Carolina go by a set of guidelines for various charges when picking an amount. Freedman says judges can choose to reduce or raise them at their discretion and they don’t have to say why.
Most of Mendenhall's charges are misdemeanor charges, for which bonds can vary from a few hundred dollars up to $1,000 or more. Felony charges will have higher bond amounts depending on the severity of the crime.