Accused kidnapper sent for mental evaluation

A Carson man accused of holding his 17-day-old son hostage with a loaded rifle appeared in court Friday to argue for a bail reduction and mental health evaluation.

Orrin Tyrel Hayes, 21, was scheduled for an evidentiary hearing when his defense attorney Chet Kafchinsky requested a continuance for a mental health evaluation. He also argued that at $500,000, Hayes' bail is extreme.

Judge Robey Willis denied the bail reduction, but ordered a psychiatric examination for Hayes. Depending on the results, he said, bail could be reconsidered.

Hayes was arrested late Oct. 6. He is accused of threatening to kill himself and the baby while family members stood outside of the Cherry Creek Apartments where he lived.

When deputies were finally called, Hayes had reportedly put the baby in his car, driving away from the apartment. A chase ensued and Hayes finally gave himself up after driving into a dead-end street.

According to the sheriff's report, Hayes drove a black Kia Sportage north on Highway 395 and then east on Sonoma Street. He reportedly ran a stop sign at Silver Sage, finally stopping on Sunchase.

Deputies said Hayes stuck his hands out of the vehicle's window. A loaded Remington .270 rifle was found in the car "in a cocked position," reports state.

Once he was taken into custody, Hayes had to be subdued several times in the back of the patrol car to keep from hurting himself.

He now faces charges of first degree kidnapping, eluding a peace officer and child endangerment. An earlier charge of drunken driving will be dropped, Deputy District Attorney Anne Langer promised. Hayes reportedly had a .04 blood-alcohol level.

Kafchinksy argued Friday against courtroom photography, saying that Hayes was overcharged and that pictures might misrepresent him to the community.

He said that Hayes has no prior criminal history, no history of violence and that there was no intent to conceal the child. He argued that first-degree kidnapping was not an appropriate charge for the situation. "None of the elements exist here."

The appropriate crime, Kafchinsky argued, was eluding police. "Unfortunately he took a loaded rifle," he said.

Langer argued that his actions indicate that he is a danger if released from jail. "He was becoming more paranoid," she said. "When you see that situation, we feel it's very dangerous."

Kafchinsky said Hayes' girlfriend does not want him to go to prison.

A new evidence hearing was set for Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. The mother and the baby were present for the hearing.