Five of the seven people accused in the viral Cincinnati beatdown appeared in court Thursday morning to face new charges. The hearing became tense as prosecutors and defense attorneys argued over the case.
The first to appear was Montanez Merriweather, who this week was hit with an extra federal charge for illegally owning a gun as a convicted felon.
Prosecutor Kip Guinan said two more city camera videos show new views of the fight, though they have not been released. He also explained that the alleged racial slurs directed at the suspects were said almost two minutes after the attack began.
The judge kept Merriweather’s bond at $500,000.
Next, Dekyra Vernon’s bond was lowered from $200,000 to $25,000 at 10%, which led to cheers from the crowd. She was also ordered to stay away from downtown Cincinnati.
Her lawyer, Clyde Bennett, said the case had been blown up by politics and race, but in reality, it was just a fight fueled by alcohol.
Prosecutor Guinan pushed back, saying it was “offensive” to claim the case was racially motivated.
Jermaine Matthews, who had already been released on bond after the attack, was given the same bond again and is still allowed to go to work.
Guinan argued that Matthews was the “leader” of the attack, calling him the one who started it. But Matthews’ lawyer, Brandon Fox, said his client was first “slapped” by a White man before the fight began.
Dominique Kittle was ordered to stay in custody for a mental health evaluation. His lawyer said Kittle is a paranoid schizophrenic and was once found not guilty of other charges due to insanity. Still, Guinan described him as “a grave danger to the public.”
Aisha Devaughn’s bond was lowered from $300,000 to $25,000 after her attorney noted she had no prior felonies.
Guinan claimed Devaughn joined the fight on her own and wasn’t provoked. As Matthews left the courtroom after hearing Devaughn’s bond had been lowered, he shouted, “I’m going to go get her.”
Patrick Rosemond, arrested last week in Georgia, was expected in court but has not yet been extradited to Ohio. He may appear Friday.
The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office said that Matthews, Merriweather, Vernon, Devaughn, Rosemond, and Kittle are each facing:
- 3 counts of felonious assault
- 3 counts of assault
- 2 counts of aggravated rioting
If convicted, they could face up to 30 years in prison.
A seventh suspect, Gregory Wright, was arrested earlier this week and charged with aggravated rioting and aggravated robbery.
All seven defendants have pleaded not guilty.
