Cincinnati Crime: Police Chiefs Criticize Leaders Over Bail Regulations and Judicial Flaws

Local police chiefs are raising their voices following a viral video of a violent attack in Cincinnati, which has reignited discussions about consistent failures in handling violent offenders who are being released onto the city’s streets.

The Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police issued a statement on August 8, criticizing local leaders for the “gaps in the judicial process” found within the local government. 

The statement expressed concern, saying, “Arresting violent offenders is not enough if they are quickly released back into our neighborhoods due to lenient bail practices or inadequate sentencing.”

According to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, Patrick Rosemond, 38, Jermaine Matthews, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, DeKyra Vernon, 24, Dominique Kittle, 37, and Aisha Devaughn, 25, are facing three counts of alleged felonious assault, three charges of assault, and two counts of aggravated rioting. 

The Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Queen City Lodge #69 revealed that Merriweather was indicted just two weeks prior to the violent incident for charges including allegedly receiving stolen property, possession of weapons under disability, improper transportation of a firearm, and others.

The order also revealed that at the time of the beatdown, Merriweather was out of jail on $4,000 bond, though he only needed to post 10% – or $400 – to be released. 

“This is your court system,” the FOP said in a social media post. 

The association is looking to fellow leaders within Cincinnati’s government to provide further transparency surrounding bail laws as they look to keep violent offenders off the streets.

“Just as law enforcement is held to high standards and evaluated on our daily practices, we must also understand the outcomes taking place in courtrooms and who is responsible for them,” the association said. “Let us be clear: we will not allow the dedication and sacrifice of our law enforcement professionals to be rendered meaningless by systemic failures or the absence of shared responsibility.”