Lower bail denied for sex assault suspect who 'hears voices'

A judge on Friday denied bail reduction for a South Jersey man accused of sexually assaulting a child despite the suspect's claims he was suffering from "voices he was hearing in his head," according to a news release from the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Raymond Watson, 34, will continue to be jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail. Watson, of Williamstown, is accused of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 years old multiple times between 2003 and 2010.

Watson's attorney told Gloucester County Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson that his client, who has been jailed since Jan. 10, is in "bad physical health," suffering from brain damage, arthritis and back problems that require medication, prosecutors said.

The attorney also reportedly noted Watson is receiving medication for voices in his head that he experienced before jail but which "got worse as a result of being incarcerated."

Watson was indicted this week on two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. His initial $250,000 bail was reduced during prior motions, prosecutors said.

But the judge said Friday she wouldn't budge any further. "There are no changed circumstances that would require me to take another look at bail," Allen-Jackson said in a statement.