The decision by a District of Columbia magistrate judge, known for his support of progressive causes and ties to a George Soros-linked charity, to release an 18-year-old man accused of firing an AR-15 rifle at a car has ignited controversy.
18 year old sprays Washington DC neighborhood with 26 rounds from an AR-15. (He's shooting at a car with 4 people in it but misses.) DC judge frees suspect on bond. He's out right now. From @DailyMail: https://t.co/pl1mMuZNXd pic.twitter.com/m31kYsASI7
— Byron York (@ByronYork) May 14, 2024
Judge Lloyd U. Nolan Jr. granted bail to Armonte Moody, subjecting him to house arrest, in the aftermath of an April incident where Moody allegedly discharged 26 rounds from an assault rifle at a car carrying four individuals in a D.C. neighborhood.
An 18-year-old was just released on bail after spraying bullets from an AR-15 at a car full of people on Independence Avenue in Washington D.C. Here's why you haven't heard about this story: pic.twitter.com/rO9WKuJNle
— The Michael Knowles Show (@MKnowlesShow) May 15, 2024
Nolan Jr.’s advocacy for progressive initiatives, including his backing of Gideon’s Promise, a charity dedicated to training public defenders, has drawn scrutiny. The organization, which received support from Soros’ Open Society Foundation, aligns with Nolan Jr.’s vision of ensuring equal justice for all.
While the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. contested Nolan Jr.’s decision, arguing that Moody’s release posed a risk to community safety, a spokesperson for the D.C. Courts defended the judge’s diligence in considering the case and communicating the consequences of release conditions to the defendant.
Critics, including Denise Krepp, a former Obama administration official, have lambasted the decision as lacking prudence and maturity.
Moody’s pre-trial status hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, marking the next stage in a case that has sparked significant debate over judicial discretion and community safety.
A spokesperson for the D.C. court declared in a statement that “all defendants have a presumption of innocence” — ignoring the fact that there is video evidence of Moody’s guilt and ignoring concerns that the defendant could pose a threat to the public.
“In this matter — after hearing arguments from both sides and the arguments for detention — the judge determined that 24-hour home confinement on electronic monitoring with the education and social services already in place for the defendant that release, on these strict conditions did ‘ensure the safety of the defendant and the public,'” the spokesperson continued.
“Judge Nolan conducted a very thorough hearing … and spoke directly with [the] defendant about the consequences of violating any portion of the release conditions,” the spokesperson claimed.
