Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones is pushing back on questions about why a man accused of attacking a woman in Daffin Park was free despite a lengthy arrest history, saying prosecutors had no role in most of his recent releases. In an Aug. 11 letter to Savannah District 4 Alderman Nick Palumbo, Jones said Lashawa Doyle received own-recognizance bonds following 12 of his 19 misdemeanor arrests since 2021. Those bonds allowed him to leave jail without paying bail and ordered him to return to court later. “My office is not present, involved or notified when OR bonds are issued by the jail,” Jones wrote. “Since this process takes place out of court and without a judge, we are not aware that the person has been arrested or released, and therefore do not have an opportunity to object.” Jones’ response came after Palumbo called for answers following the alleged attack at Daffin Park. “How many times is it going to take before we can protect our community? Because Daffin Park is everybody’s park,” Palumbo said. “It’s time for the criminal justice system to do their thing.” Doyle, 30, is charged with attempted rape, aggravated sexual battery and false imprisonment in connection with an alleged attack inside a restroom at Daffin Park. The restrooms are near the park’s pool and playground. Because the case remains under investigation, Jones said professional conduct rules prevent her from commenting publicly on its details. She also said she could not discuss Doyle’s…
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