‘We are trying to seek justice’: Friends and family of Taylor Wyss react to 2-month delay in Dahnte Cegers’ plea
(Update: Adding video, comments from friend of Taylor Wyss)
They attend every hearing, holding up signs seeking justice at courthouse, and leave disappointed
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Dahnte Cegers, the older brother of Bend murder suspect Caleb Cegers, received another two-month delay Friday before entering his plea to a felony charge of hindering prosecution of his brother when they both fled to the East Coast in the wake of last summer’s fatal downtown shooting of Taylor Wyss.
As family and friends of the homicide victim looked on in the courtroom – having held "Justice for Taylor" protest signs outside, as they do before and after attending every hearing -- Deschutes County Circuit Judge Bethany Flint agreed to the 60-day delay of plea entry requested by Dahnte Cegers’ attorney, Sara Gross.
Gross told the judge that prosecutors in the discovery process had provided the defense with new, “technical” evidence that would require some additional time to review. Deputy District Attorney Joe Langerman was asked by Flint and did not object to the delay.
In the wake of last August’s fatal shooting of Wyss, a 33-year-old Redmond man, outside Duda’s Billiard Bar on Wall Street, Caleb Cegers, now 20, and his older brother, Dahnte, now 26, fled the state. A nationwide manhunt led to their arrest near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Caleb Cegers remains held without bail, having pleaded not guilty earlier this year to second-degree murder and other charges. His trial is currently scheduled to begin next Jan. 7.
Caleb Cegers’ girlfriend, Sadie Cole, who repeatedly punched a bartender and helped Caleb Cegers get away, pleaded guilty to reduced charges late last year and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 18 months probation after she agreed to testify against Caleb Cegers.
It's an emotional time for those close to the case, but they feel they must be on hand as they follow every twist and turn on the path toward that they believe will be the justice they, and Taylor deserve.
"There were tears. People were shaking. We're angry. We are trying to seek justice for Taylor. And this is dragging it down the road," said Jessica Lessar, a long-time friend of Taylor's.
Shortly after the hearing, Dahnte Cegers left the courthouse during our interview with Lessar.
"You know, it's really difficult," she said as he walked out. "And it makes it even more difficult to see someone being so smug. A little bit of remorse or humbleness never hurt anyone."
Wyss's family and friends have attended every hearing, and say they've left feeling disappointed every time.
"It's using court time, court resources essentially for him to just be able to run the streets until the inevitable happens, which is jail time," Lessar said. "He will be convicted. So why drag it out?"
Following the hearing, Wyss' family stopped at his memorial to Taylor in front of Duda's with ribbons and pins.
Wyss's family also has created a Facebook page, called Justice for Taylor Wyss, to remember him and stay updated on the latest information in the cases.
