TEEN murder suspect Stephon Martin Morson has been freed after a judge reduced his bond from nearly $1 million to just a mere $200 – sparking fury among US governors.
The 19-year-old is accused of killing 20-year-old Keshawn Cage, who cops devastatingly found with a gunshot wound to the head.
Travis County JailStephon Martin Morson, 19, of Austin, Texas, is charged with murder, but out of jail after his bond was reduced from $800,000 to $100 per charge[/caption]
The Mega AgencyGovernor Greg Abbott (Republican of Texas) speaks to the media after meeting in the Oval Office with United States President Trump[/caption]
Morson was released from the Travis County Jail in Austin, Texas, on Saturday after he posted bail.
He had been booked on November 6 last year and charged with murder and tamper/fabricate physical evidence, according to Fox News.
The suspect‘s bond was originally set at $800,000 – but was dropped to only $100 for each charge – equalling a mere total of $200.
Conditions along with the bond include Morson wearing a GPS monitor, remain under house arrest and no contact with the family of the victim or potential witnesses, CBS reports.
Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock has slammed the minimal punishment, claiming it was “not enough”.
He told Fox: “For a man accused of murder to have his bond reduced so low that he’s able to walk free is a slap in the face to Austinites who could potentially become the next victim.
“The revolving door of violent criminals constantly released back onto the streets of Austin is exactly why we have seen violent crime increase.”
He added that the District Attorney, County Attorney, and Judges in the area have “demonstrated they are not interested in looking after the safety of Austinites nor working with law enforcement”.
Bullock also said that criminals who have been released on bond have killed people – and explained that it wasn’t the first time Travis County judges and magistrates have reduced bond for a person accused of murder or sexual assault.
The Austin Police Association President explained: “This is not exclusive to just one judge. This has happened across multiple different courts.
“We’ve had some where they may not reoffend, but then we’ve had others who do reoffend.
“People that get out on bond and they murder someone else when they’re already accused of a violent crime.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also expressed his fury regarding Morson’s release, labelling the move “outrageous”.
He wrote in a post on X: “We must prevent leftist judges from releasing dangerous murderers out on our streets.
“Those responsible for this release should be held legally liable if anyone is harmed by this criminal.”
Advocates for crime victims in Texas have been relentlessly trying to get tougher bail legislation on the books for years.
Previously, various criminal offenders in Harris County were released on low or no bond – and some go on to reoffend, even violently, CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston claims.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick backed Greg Abbott and said he is prepared to play “hardball” to keep violent offenders from being released on bail during a session last week to pass a bail reform package.
And on Wednesday the bills cleared the first step to becoming law.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee passed the bail reform package by an overwhelming vote of 6-0.
GettyTexas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks after Texas Governor Greg Abbott[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
