Judges REDUCE $1M bail for Lancaster BLM 'rioters' and lets some walk free after they 'tried to storm police precinct' in the wake of fatal cop shooting of crazed black knifeman
Judges dramatically reduced bail amounts as high as $1 million Thursday that had been set this week for several people accused of crimes during unrest in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that included protests and vandalism to public buildings.
Bail for nine of 13 defendants was lowered, in several cases so they will not have to put up any money to be released, LNP reported.
Bail for two defendants was reduced from $1 million to $50,000 unsecured, clearing the way for their release pending trial.
Three other defendants received a $50,000 unsecured bail, allowing them to leave jail without putting up cash, but they are required to remain on house arrest until trial.
Taylor Enterline, 20, and Kathryn Patterson, 20, both had their bail reduced from $1 million to $50,000 unsecured, allowing them to walk free without putting up cash
(left to right) Lee Wise, Dylan Davis and Barry Jones were all given a $50,000 recognizance bond, but are now required to remain on house arrest until trial
People chant during a protest at the scene of a police shooting on Sunday in Lancaster
In other cases, defendants will still need to post bail of $25,000-$100,000, which means they may have to come up with a portion of it in cash to pay the bail bondsman.
District Court Judge Bruce Roth, who initially set the $1 million bonds, reviewed some of the bail petitions, and others were heard by Judge Dennis Reinaker.
During bail review, the court heard arguments from defense attorneys and prosecutors over each defendant's level of culpability, as well as their family circumstances and ties to the community.
- Taylor Enterline, 20: Bail reduced from $1 million to $50,000 unsecured
- Kathryn Patterson, 20: From $1 million to $50,0000 unsecured
- Lee Wise, 29: From $100,000 to $50,000 unsecured; is on house arrest
- Dylan Davis, 28: From $1 million to $50,000 unsecured; is on house arrest
- Barry Jones, 30: From $1 million to $100,000 unsecured; is on house arrest
- T-Jay Fry, 28: $1 million to $25,000 cash
- Talia Gessner, 18: $1 million to $50,000 cash, if released, house arrest
- Yoshua Dwayne Montague, 23: From $1 million to $100,000 cash or 10%
- Jamal Shariff Newman, 24: From $1 million to $100,000 cash
The charges stem from unrest over the shooting by police of Ricardo Munoz, a Lancaster man who charged cops while wielding a knife after his sister sought to have him committed for mental health treatment.
(left to right) T-Jay Fry, 28, had bail reduced from $1 million to $25,000 cash; Talia Gessner, 18, from $1 million to $50,000 cash, if released, house arrest; Yoshua Dwayne Montague, 23, from $1 million to $100,000 cash or 10%; Jamal Shariff Newman, 24, from $1 million to $100,000 cash
Bail was unchanged for (left to right) Jessica Lopez, Frank Gaston and Matthew Modderman
Police body camera video that was made public shows the 27-year-old Munoz brandishing the knife before the officer shot and killed him.
Munoz had been awaiting trial on allegations he stabbed four people last year.
Bodycam video shows Ricardo Munoz, 27, pictured 'brandishing a knife over his head' in a threatening manner. He was shot dead
The charging documents filed by police over the demonstrators' actions described them all as instigators, which defendants' family members and supporters have in some cases hotly denied.
The protests Sunday night and early Monday were followed by rioting that caused damage to Lancaster's police headquarters and other downtown buildings. An arson fire blocked a downtown intersection.
Munoz had been out on bond, awaiting trial for allegations he stabbed four people last year, including a teenage boy who was stabbed in the face.
His sister said Munoz was mentally ill - diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia - and hadn't been taking his medications.
She said she had called a crisis intervention organization and a police non-emergency number to get her brother involuntarily committed.
Ricardo Munoz was fatally shot by an officer who authorities say was responding to a domestic disturbance call. He can be seen here holding a knife in his right hand
'He had an episode. He was just incoherent and acting out,' she said. 'I called to find out what the procedure was to get him some help.'
Protesters gathered outside the police station in the wake of the shooting and, in video posted to social media, they chanted: "Hands up, don´t shoot," "No justice, no peace" and "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!"
It was unclear how motivated protesters were by racism as they have been in other cities where deaths at the hands of police have stoked protest.
Court papers list Munoz's race as white.
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