Man accused of HIV exposure denied bond reduction

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Dexter man accused of recklessly exposing as many as 300 people to HIV will not have his bond reduced.

David Lee Mangum faces 21 counts of the Class B felony of recklessly exposing another to HIV.

At least one victim was confirmed to have contracted HIV.

He appeared in a Butler County courtroom on Tuesday before Judge Michael Martin Pritchett.

In the hearing, his attorney, Rebecca Dianna Burke, filed a motion to have Mangum's bond reduced. Currently, his bond sits at $250,000.

Pritchett denied the motion. This is the second time Mangum has requested a reduction.

Judge Joe Satterfield denied a similar motion in a Stoddard County Courtroom after referring to Mangum's release as a "public health situation."

The Tuesday hearing was originally scheduled as an opportunity for Mangum to enter a plea and then set the case for trial. That portion of the hearing had to be continued.

A separate hearing to set a trial date has now been scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, at 2 p.m.

The 21 charges stem from reported sexual incidents that occurred between Mangum and three victims.

He was originally charged with one count of the Class A felony of knowingly infecting another with HIV before that charge was dropped and the additional charges filed.

The first victim approached police Monday, Aug. 26, and stated that he had been lied to regarding Mangum's HIV status before their first sexual encounter in 2012. The two were in a relationship from Nov. 2012 through June 2013.

Upon being interviewed by police, Mangum admitted to having tested positive for HIV in 2003. He claims to have had 300 partners since being tested-50 to 60 of which he stated are in Stoddard County.

cnoles@dailystatesman.com