Faces of heartache: Bail bond board approves 10% minimum under pressure from victims’ families

HOUSTON — Members of the Harris County Bail Bond Board had to have a look at the anguished and indignant faces of homicide victims’ households throughout a gathering Wednesday. They packed the assembly to strain the board to set a minimal for bonds. And it labored.

The identical board that rejected the proposal for a ten% minimal final month, handed it right this moment for 17 violent felony surety bonds. 

Till now, even when judges set excessive bonds, bail bonds corporations might decrease all of them the way in which right down to 2%, permitting even capital homicide suspects with previous convictions for violent crimes to stroll free.

“I paid the value. Our household paid the value. Our neighborhood paid the value.  Time and again. The variety of murders in Harris County is unreal and uncontrolled,” Castro instructed us earlier than the vote. “As an alternative of $35,000, my son’s killer most likely obtained out for $7,000 and, consequently, an individual with a number of gun offenses is again out on the streets.”

The households of 9-year-old  Arlene Alvarez and 16-year-old Diamond Alvarez additionally attended the assembly. 

A bullet struck Arlene within the head on Valentine’s Day as she and her household have been headed to Spanky’s Pizza for dinner. She was rushed to the hospital and pronounced lifeless a day later. Tony Earls, the person accused of killing Arlene, is out on bond.

Diamond’s boyfriend, 17-year-old Frank DeLeon, allegedly shot her 22 instances after she came upon he was dishonest. DeLeon can also be free after posting bond.

Earlier than the vote, there have been fireworks when some residents stood up and spoke out through the assembly. And in a shock transfer, presiding chair Angela Rodriguez was changed midstream by the newly elected Troy McKinney.

Members voted to ask the Texas legal professional basic to make clear their authority on the subject of bond minimums and different points.