In September of 2021, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott signed Senate Bill 6, a bill banning the release of people accused of violent crimes on personal bonds. Instead, the accused will be able to post the amount of cash set by the court, or pay a percentage to a bail bonds company, The Texas Tribune explains.
“SB 6 is built on right-wing hysteria that violates Texans’ rights, not on public safety,” Laquita Garcia with the Texas Organizing Project said in a statement. “If implemented, this bill will lead to more overcrowding in jails and further criminalize poverty in our state, meaning more Texans- a disproportionate amount being Black and Latino, will stay stuck in jail solely because they cannot afford bail.”
Last Friday, 43-year-old Aubrey Taylor appeared at a bond hearing for assault and kidnapping charges. He’s accused of holding his victim in his car for several days and repeatedly choking her and beating her, Fox 26 Houston reported. Despite him being a violent offender, he was given a mere $1 cash bond.
“You’ve got eight prior felony convictions, two of them for robbery,” said Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers. “He’s charged with two serious violent offenses. If I’m outraged, I can’t imagine what the victim in this case must be going through considering all she did.”
Judge Josh Hill, who gave the bond, says he was making his feelings known for the Senate Bill 6. Despite his seemingly good intentions, he’s now put the life of Taylor’s victim in danger in the process of his protesting.
“Someone has accused you, you’re in jail, you’re angry, who’s the person you’re thinking about,” questions criminal defense attorney Emily Detoto. “Who are you fuming over and who’s the first person you want to go be angry with? It’s the person who put you there, right? That needs to be rethought.”
