Philadelphia man accused of killing New Bedford native Eric Pope out on bail

Matthew Ferreira, Standard-Times
·2 min read
Eric Pope, seen here in a file photo from Facebook, is known locally for being the youngest ever School Committee member in New Bedford at the time he was elected in 2010 at age 21. He died in a hospital on April 23, 2022, a week after being punched in the face outside of a Philadelphia bar and lounge.

NEW BEDFORD — The Philadelphia man charged with the death of New Bedford native Eric Pope in April has been released on bail, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

According to Jane Roh, spokesperson for the Philadelphia DA's office, the defendant, Kenneth Frye, 24, posted bail via a bondsman on Tuesday, May 10. "The court set bail at $350,000, which was lower than our office recommended and we did appeal," Roh told The Standard-Times via email. Roh said the amount requested by her office was $500,000.

"It is a pattern of the courts to set lower bail for police and security officers than other defendants as they are considered lower risk for fleeing or absconding," Roh wrote. Roh also noted that Frye has no prior record and called the court's bail amount "typical for this offense."

A preliminary hearing for Frye — who is charged with Third Degree Murder — has been scheduled for July 19, but the date may be subject to change, Roh said.

Catch up: Philadelphia bouncer facing murder charge in death of New Bedford native Eric Pope'

Frye was working as a bouncer at the Tabu Lounge and Sports bar on April 16 when he allegedly punched Pope in the face outside of the establishment, leading to Pope's hospitalization and death on April 23. Surveillance footage obtained by a Philadelphia-based Fox News outlet appears to show Pope being punched by a bouncer, allegedly Frye, and falling to the ground where he remained for over a minute before being moved onto the sidewalk by Frye and another man, according to reports.

Prior to his May 10 release, Frye had turned himself in to authorities on April 28 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with Pope's death.

Pope, a New Bedford native and resident of the Washington, D.C. area, was 41. Pope was well-known in New Bedford for being the city's youngest-ever School Committee member at the time of his election in 2001, at age 21.

Go back further: A big void in the world': Eric Pope remembered for service to New Bedford

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford native Eric Pope's alleged killer out on bail, DA says