Latest news with #BreakingBond
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Texas Governor, Lt. Governor will be in Houston Tuesday to sign strongest bail reform package into law
The Brief New Bail Powers for Judges: A proposed constitutional change would let Texas judges deny bail for more violent crimes starting September 1. PR Bonds Restricted: Magistrates could no longer grant PR bonds for violent felonies or to defendants on parole. Media Impact: The Breaking Bond series highlighted cases like Dominique Menefee's, helping drive the push for reform. HOUSTON - Come September 1, what judges and magistrates can do, will change drastically. What we know "Under current statute, the only offense a judge can deny bond flat out, is capital murder and that's only if the state is seeking the death penalty," said Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers. Voters can change that come Election Day in November. If approved, the state's constitution will change giving judges more discretion. They could deny bond for any violent charge for public safety concerns. Also, magistrates can no longer grant personal recognizance bonds, or get out-of-jail free cards, to defendants charged with violent felonies. "If you're on parole, and you're charged with a felony, you will no longer be able to get a PR bond," Kahan said. The backstory In November 2023, we told you about Dominque Menefee. Even though he was on parole, he was given a PR bond for a felony drug charge. Six days after he walked out of jail, police say Menefee murdered 34-year-old Sherniqua Banks. Several Breaking Bond reports were viewed and shared during committee hearings. Another big change, no PR bonds for defendants charged with felon in possession of a weapon, terroristic threats, and drug cases involving fentanyl. "Little did we know when we first started doing this segment in November of 2020, we would play a pivotal role and Breaking Bond has become a catalyst for change," Kahan said. The Source FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace spoke with Andy Kahan with Houston Crime Stoppers.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor Abbott in Houston pushing for bail reform
HOUSTON - The governor says this proposed change to the Texas Constitution will save lives. Critics say it will keep more defendants awaiting trial in an already overcrowded jail. In a press news conference, Abbott pointed out in the Houston area alone, there's been more than 200 cases of dangerous offenders free from jail on bond killing innocent Texans. For five years, FOX 26 has reported on the issue of repeat violent offenders free from jail on multiple felony bonds committing even more crimes in our ongoing series, "Breaking Bond." A bill, being called a priority by the governor, would change the Texas constitution giving felony court judges more discretion. Currently, all defendants charged with felonies can bond out of jail except for capital murder. Under the purposed amendment, judges could deny bond for other violent crimes, like murder, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. It would also make judges more accountable to voters. The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association says less than one-tenth of a percent of defendants on bond commit new crimes. The ACLU of Texas says it fears defendants will lose due process rights. If lawmakers pass the change, voters will make the ultimate decision. The Source FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace attended Texas Governor Greg Abbott's news conference on Wednesday in Houston.
