Mobile Co. DA: Accused bowling alley shooter shows why Aniah's Law is needed - NBC 15 WPMI
MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — Two years ago, prosecutors charged Christin Edwards with murder. She's accused of shooting and killing 17-year-old TyDarius Jones as he walked near Rickarby Park in Maysville. At the time, the state requested bond be set at $150,000, the highest allowed under the law, and that a portion of it had to be paid in cash.
"Oftentimes, a bonding company will bond someone out at 5% of the bond. Or you know, a very insignificant amount," said District Attorney Ashley Rich.
A month later, Rich says Edwards' defense requested the cash component be eliminated. A judge granted it, and eventually she was released against the prosecutor's objections. Tuesday night, police say Edwards pulled out a gun during a fight at AMF Skyline Lanes and shot two women and two men.
"We're very, very fortunate and lucky that we don't have another death on our hands," said Rich.
Thursday charges were upgraded to four counts of attempted murder, and a judge revoked the 22-year-old's bond in the murder case. Rich argues she never should've been let out of jail to begin with.
"She wouldn't be facing four counts of attempted murder, and we wouldn't have had a whole entire bowling alley terrorized as a result of her conduct," said Rich.
Rich says this case shows why voters next year need to approve Aniah's Law, named after Aniah Blanchard, who was kidnapped and murdered. Her accused killer was out on bond for other serious offenses. The constitutional amendment would give judges more discretion in denying bail to suspects accused of committing violent crimes.
"We are trying to get the word out as much as possible and show examples where Aniah's Law could be very helpful to us. And this is one of those examples," said Rich.
The amendment will be on the ballot next November. Edwards is set to go on trial for murder in February.
source: https://mynbc15.com/news/local/mobile-co-da-accused-bowling-alley-shooter-shows-why-aniahs-law-is-needed
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