A community bail fund connected to Black Lives Matter has financed the bail for an activist accused of attempting to murder a Louisvil...
A community bail fund connected to Black Lives Matter has financed the bail for an activist accused of attempting to murder a Louisville mayoral candidate.
What is the background?
Quintez Brown, 21, was charged with attempted murder and four counts of wanton endangerment after police say he attempted to assassinate Democratic mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg on Monday.
Greenberg explained that he and four staff members were meeting Monday morning when a man entered his campaign office, "pulled out a gun, aimed directly at me and began shooting." Fortunately, no one was killed or injured in the incident, although a bullet allegedly grazed Greenberg's clothing.
Brown was quickly detained after the incident, when a police officer spotted a man who matched the description of the perpetrator. Brown was located less than a half-mile from Greenberg's campaign headquarters, and he was carrying a loaded 9mm magazine in his pants pocket when police detained him.
Who bailed him out?
The Louisville Community Bail Fund, which is supported by Black Lives Matter Louisville, secured Brown's release from jail by posting his $100,000 bond, WHAS-TV reported.
Brown was released from jail Wednesday evening. As he was being led outside, supporters sang, "Oh Happy Day."
Chanelle Helm, co-founder of the Louisville Community Bail Fund and a BLM Louisville activist, told WHAS that Brown's case is about "mental health issues." She reportedly claimed that activists suffer from PTSD because of their activism.
Helm also explained that posting Brown's bond was necessary to both keep him safe and provide him with mental health assistance.
"They are calling for this individual, this young man who needs support and help, to be punished to the full extent," Helm told WHAS. "It is a resounding message that people are down for the torture that has taken place in our jails and prisons."
Metro Council president David James (D), however, said Brown should not have been bonded from jail and said the group that secured his release will be responsible for his actions should he violate the terms of his bond.
While awaiting trial, Brown will be subject to a home incarceration program, which includes wearing a GPS monitoring device, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer (D) said.
"Quintez Brown's bond and release have been decided independently by a judge. Mr. Brown will be monitored by the Department of Corrections, consistent with Home Incarceration Program rules and regulations and any conditions set forth in the court order, including use of a GPS monitoring device and home checks. Alerts will notify HIP personnel if the device is tampered with or goes outside the geofence," Fisher explained in a statement.
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