Opinion: Detroit judge catches smoke on social media for decision to lower man's bond
The smoke on the street Thursday was coming from people in the community who are livid after a judge in Detroit reduced a man’s bond for attempted murder, only to have the offender go back out and reportedly strike again.
Larry D. Williams Jr, a judge in the 36th District Court, is being slammed under multiple Instagram posts by @crimenewsinthed for his “stupid” decision, per comments on the site. In January, court records show, Judge Williams reduced the bond for Torrion Hudson from $1 million to $250,000 cash or surety bond, after Hudson had been accused of shooting a young Black woman in the neck area at a gas station and robbing her in late December. Hudson used a bail bondsman to post bond. But not even a week later, Hudson was back in court for violating his bond agreement and a week after he was back in court again for allegedly attacking his pregnant girlfriend and her mother.
Hudson was charged Thursday by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in his latest incident with one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, one count of unlawful possession or use of harmful devices causing injury, one count of domestic violence and one count of assault and battery. He was arraigned Friday morning in 36th District Court by Zoom in front of Magistrate Malaika Ramsey-Heath. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office requested a "high cash bond" of $500,000, but Hudson was instead remanded to jail by Magistrate Ramsey-Heath. While hearing his sentence, Hudson, who was visible by camera at the Detroit Detention Center, held his middle finger up to the screen.
The incredulous, 22-year-old manchild has already been ripped to shreds by members of the community for his ignorant choices. But now, with the Judge Williams decision to reduce his bond after his first incident, social media users are turning their ire on Williams and giving him all the smoke.
Another commenter, @dimedetroitpics313, said: "I swear Detroit got the most bootleg judges." And several others are calling for the judge to step down and to not vote for him again in the next election.
@pierreworld__ said on Instagram: "So now everyone should be motivated to actually VOTE. Yall be killing me on here talking about what needs to be done when the change starts with US!
@dalainamarie50 said: "That judge needs to be fired FOR REAL." And another commenter, @zachariah_blackk, said judges need to be held accountable.
"This judge is the prime example of what's wrong with the judiciary system when handling violent offenders" @zachariah_blackk posted. "They should be held accountable in cases like this."
More:Her husband killed their 4 children. Now, she builds new life, works to honor them.
However, the community is praising one judge involved in the case, Judge Patricia Jefferson, who called the defendants actions "egregious" after he faced her in court on Wednesday and she remanded him back to jail — where he should have been in the first place. Jefferson also added more restrictions to Hudson's bond agreement for violating the bond terms in mid January — one week after he initially posted bond — that included a GPS tether with house arrest restrictions.
@charisethewaxer said: "Let's also be clear! An emergency bond hearing was requested and denied by JUDGE PATRICIA L. JEFFERSON. She's up for reelection in 2024."
Aside from community members demanding answers from Judge Williams for his decision to release Hudson in the first place, other commenters are demanding answers from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office as to why they are being so lenient with bonds and violent offenders.
@marla_b_ posted: "Why are they being so lenient on these violent criminals. This don't have s--- to do with Black lives mattering. This not what we mean. Put these violent criminals away."
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, however, is not solely responsible for bond terms. They can make a recommendation regarding a bond, but it is up to the judges to make the final decision.
More:Nightmarish moments inside Detroit police cars on night of Loren Courts' fatal shooting
In a statement regarding Hudson's bond violation on Jan. 20, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said:
"This case shows the inherent flaws in the 36 District Court bond redetermination hearings. Most of the bonds are being reviewed 24-48 hours after they were initially set. They are mainly reduced because the defendant could not make bond without time for a thoughtful consideration of other issues concerning the safety of the victim and the public in serious felony cases such as this one."
In a campaign video posted to youtube, The Judge Larry Williams Story, Williams says his reason for getting into law in the first place was to help the most vulnerable in his community specifically "the women and children of the city of Detroit" he said. The Judge also describes his time before taking the bench as an Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor and as the prosecutor for the "designated domestic violence docket at 36th District Court."
The Detroit Free Press reached out to Judges Williams and Jefferson, but neither responded.
Williams has been on the bench since 2016. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Opinion: Judge Larry D. Williams blasted for lowering bond
