An alleged gunman, accused of targeting and ‘ambushing’ his prey in Memphis, Tennessee, has been unexpectedly released from custody, not having to pay any bail. This decision was made despite the urgent appeal from the district attorney that he stay confined. Eighteen-year-old Tyreese Earnest was indicted last month for attempted murder in the second degree after he, along with two accomplices, supposedly trapped a FedEx worker in a company distribution center’s parking lot where Earnest reportedly fired at him.
An initial bail of $200,000 had been set for Earnest following his arrest, but in a surprising turn of events a judge recently declared that the young man accused of attempted murder will be set free, his release not requiring any bail. The hope now is that the alleged attack survivor’s justice will hang on whether the accused decides to attend his hearing or not, a decision that lies solely with Earnest.
This unexpected legal decision has left the local prosecution in a state of intense frustration. As per the district attorney for Shelby County, ‘The alleged crime’s details, the fact the victim was caught off guard, as well as the violent nature in which the crime was committed, are all indicators that this defendant poses a risk to the public safety.’
Complicating the narrative, Earnest’s alleged co-conspirators, who are twins, continue to be held in custody with bail set at $80,000 each. One of the twins confessed to having driven Earnest and his sibling to the crime scene. Both have been accused of ‘criminal attempt facilitation,’ which is categorized as a class A felony within the jurisdiction.
Adding a further layer of controversy, State Senator Brent Taylor has publicly criticized the district attorney and his team for their perceived failure to keep the alleged shooter detained. In a scathing comment, Taylor suggested, ‘In this case, the assistant district attorney was as ineffective as a kitten’s meow.’
According to Taylor’s controversial statement, the assistant district attorney’s role in the case was negligible at best. Taylor made this assertion by saying, ‘The ADA could have offered the same level of effectiveness had he been an audience spectator observing the judicial proceeding.’