Suspect shot in head by cops released from custody

ORLANDO, Fla. — A suspect accused of trying to run over an Orange County deputy has been released from jail custody.

9 Investigates first reported last week about the push to get Danny Wright released. Wright, who is charged with attempted murder, was shot in the head by deputies and has been in the hospital since February at taxpayers' expense.

Investigative reporter Daralene Jones asked what happens to the mounting hospital bill.

Wright is still in a hospital bed at Orlando Regional Medical Center. A neurologist said, "He is breathing on his own, but he cannot follow simple commands."

On Monday, Judge Timothy Shea agreed to release Wright on his own recognizance after a hospital attorney tried to intervene.

“He is still facing those charges. And as soon as Danny Wright comes out of that coma, we will be there to see him go to trial,” said State Attorney spokeswoman Angela Starke.

Court records show as of last month, Wright's hospital bill at ORMC was approaching $1 million. Taxpayers were being forced to pick up a portion of the bill because he was in jail custody.

But Channel 9 was told the jail is usually able to negotiate inmate bills and ends up paying one-third of the cost, reducing the burden on taxpayers.

“It's cruel and unusual punishment to withhold medical care or have indifference of medical needs toward inmates. Hoes up to the Eighth Amendment," said Chris Hunter, director of Orange County Health Services.

"The hospital can't just kick him out on the street," said Wright’s attorney and public defender, Ben Jones. "He has to go somewhere, but as long as he has pending attempted murder charges, no one will take him.”

Jones is still fighting to have the charge dropped, claiming Wright is permanently incompetent to stand trial.

Prosecutors are prepared to fight it, adding the law doesn't allow them to consider that until five years have passed. It's only been five months in Wright's case.

“This is a very serious charge. He tried to murder a deputy. It's not as though it was a petit theft charge,” Starke said.

A hearing is scheduled for July 22 to determine whether the charges will be dropped. A spokesperson for the hospital would not comment specifically about the case because of privacy laws.

9 Investigates learned taxpayers are no longer on the hook for Wright’s bill. The hospital could be forced to pick it up because Wright, also a fugitive from Tennessee, is not a Florida resident and may not qualify for Medicaid.

WFTV