Cincinnati crime problem is being put under the microscope after a violent attack last month, and now its bond policies are being scrutinized.
In late July, a violent attack took place in Cincinnati, with the local response receiving considerable scrutiny and criticism, including at the national level. While several suspects have been arrested and charged, the bond changes for two female suspects have brought more attention to the case.
Last Friday, six suspects were each hit with several charges to do with the incident, including three counts of felonious assault, three charges of assault, and two charges of aggravated rioting.
Coverage from Fox News, however, highlighted “courtroom drama” due to the bond being lowered for some of the suspects:
Dekyra Vernon’s bond was then knocked down from $200,000 to $25,000 at 10%, eliciting cheers from the gallery. She was also ordered to stay away from the city’s downtown area.
Vernon’s attorney, Clyde Bennett, argued that the case against his client had been inflamed due to race and politics, but in reality it was just a fight fueled by alcohol.
Guinan rebutted Bennett’s argument, asserting that for him to believe the case is driven by race is offensive.
Jermaine Matthews, who was initially released on bond shortly after the attack, was granted the same bond amount and is still permitted to go to work.
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Aisha Devaughn also received a lower bond, with the initial amount of $300,000 brought down to $25,000 after her attorney cited her lack of prior felonies.
The resulting lowered bond amount led to chatter on social media, with discussions of Cincinnati being “such a mess” and how “Cincinnati takes one step forward, then two steps backward.”
More charges were previewed as a possibility for some suspects. Montanez Merriweather faces an additional federal charge for illegally having a gun as a convicted felon.
One suspect generating plenty of coverage is Patrick Rosemond, who is accused of assaulting one of the victims, identified as Holly. After Rosemond was located in Fulton County, Georgia, he was extradited back to Ohio and arraigned on Friday morning.
Coverage from WCPO, a local ABC affiliate, notes that Rosemond’s bond was set by Judge Alan Triggs, who set the other defendants’ bonds at $500,000.
Referring to Holly, the prosecutor claimed that Rosemond “is the individual that knocked out HR, the female, almost causing her death” and also “the one responsible for the majority of her injuries.”
Further, the prosecutor pointed to Rosemond being “proud of his work,” with the suspect having stayed at the scene of the crime even after the other suspects had left.
“Rosemond can be seen on video dancing, then walking back to some of the injured people, and appears to taunt them, the prosecutor said,” WCPO also added.
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou, who has been following the case over social media, continues to chime in over X. In sharing WCPO’s coverage, he referred to the “high bond” as “Good work” from the judge, also noting it’s “Step 1.”
During her press conference last Wednesday with Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, Holly also called out the suspect.
“The man who attacked me, and might have permanently damaged me forever, should have never been on the streets, ever,” he said. “The fact that he had just gotten out of jail previously for something he should have been in there for years.”
Moreno has met with local leaders, including Cincinnati’s Democratic mayor, Aftab Pureval, about his concerns and is expected to meet with them once more on Aug. 19. He previously threatened to call for a review of federal funding for the city in light of the attack and the response.