Five of the seven defendants in the widely publicized Cincinnati beating showed up for court on Thursday morning to answer to fresh accusations. As prosecutors and defense lawyers debated the case, the session turned heated.
The first to show up was Montanez Merriweather, who was charged with an additional federal offense this week for unlawfully possessing a firearm while a convicted felon.
Although they haven’t been made public, prosecutor Kip Guinan said two other city camera footages provide fresh perspectives of the altercation. Additionally, he clarified that the claimed racial epithets aimed at the accused were uttered nearly two minutes after the assault started.
Merriweather’s bond was maintained at $500,000.
The crowd then cheered when Dekyra Vernon’s bond was reduced from $200,000 to $25,000 at a 10% interest rate. She was also told to avoid Cincinnati’s downtown.
Clyde Bennett, her attorney, claimed that although politics and racism had blown up the case, it was really just an alcohol-fueled altercation.
Guinan, the prosecutor, retorted that it was disrespectful to suggest that the case was motivated by race.
After being released on bond following the attack, Jermaine Matthews was granted the same bond once more and is still permitted to work.
Guinan said that Matthews was the one who initiated the attack and that he was its leader. However, before the altercation started, Matthew’s attorney, Brandon Fox, claimed that his client had been smacked by a white man.
Dominique Kittle was placed under arrest pending a mental health assessment. According to his attorney, Kittle is a paranoid schizophrenic who was previously acquitted of other counts on the grounds of insanity. Nevertheless, Guinan said he posed a serious risk to the public.
After her lawyer pointed out that Aisha Devaughn had no past felony convictions, her bond was reduced from $300,000 to $25,000.
Devaughn, according to Guinan, entered the altercation voluntarily and without provocation. Matthews said, “I’m going to go get her,” as he left the courtroom after learning that Devaughn’s bond had been cut.
Although he was scheduled to appear in court, Patrick Rosemond, who was arrested in Georgia last week, has not yet been extradited to Ohio. He might show up on Friday.
Matthews, Merriweather, Vernon, Devaughn, Rosemond, and Kittle are all facing the following, according to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office:
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3 counts of felonious assault
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3 counts of assault
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2 counts of aggravated rioting
They could spend up to 30 years behind bars if found guilty.
Gregory Wright, a seventh defendant, was taken into custody earlier this week and accused with aggravated robbery and rioting.
Each of the seven defendants entered a not guilty plea.
