Five of the seven individuals charged in a viral Cincinnati assault case appeared in court on August 14 to face additional charges, as contentious bond rulings sparked emotional reactions from those in attendance.
The first defendant to appear was Montanez Merriweather, who was previously charged federally with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. His bond remained set at $500,000.
Prosecutor Kip Guinan said two additional surveillance videos from nearby city cameras captured new angles of the attack but have not been released publicly. He also noted that alleged racial slurs directed at the perpetrators were made nearly two minutes after the incident began.
Defendant Dekyra Vernon saw her bond reduced from $200,000 to $25,000 at 10%, drawing cheers from the gallery. She was ordered to stay away from downtown Cincinnati. Her attorney, Clyde Bennett, argued that race and politics had fueled the case, calling it a fight fueled by alcohol. Guinan rejected the claim, calling it offensive to suggest the case was racially motivated.
Jermaine Matthews, who was previously released on bond, maintained the same bond conditions and is permitted to continue working. Guinan described Matthews as the “leader” and “primary instigator” of the assault, saying, “This is the man who started it.” Matthews’ attorney, Brandon Fox, countered that his client was slapped by a white man at the outset of the altercation.
Dominique Kittle’s bond was left unchanged, though he will remain in custody pending a mental health evaluation. His attorney said Kittle is a paranoid schizophrenic and had previously been found not guilty by reason of insanity in another case. Guinan characterized him as “a grave danger to the public.”
Aisha Devaughn’s bond was reduced from $300,000 to $25,000 after her attorney cited her lack of prior felonies. Guinan alleged that Devaughn inserted herself into the fight without provocation. As Matthews left the courtroom following the bond change, he reportedly stated, “[I’m going to] go get her.”
Patrick Rosemond made his first court appearance in Hamilton County on August 15. Jail records show the 38-year-old was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center early that same day. Rosemond, accused of injuring the victim known as “Holly” during the downtown brawl, pleaded not guilty to three counts of felonious assault, three counts of assault, and two counts of aggravated rioting. He was released on a $500,000 bond, the amount requested by prosecutors.
According to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, Matthews, Merriweather, Vernon, Devaughn, Rosemond, and Kittle are each charged with three counts of felonious assault, three counts of assault, and two counts of aggravated rioting. If convicted, they face up to 30 years in prison. A seventh defendant, Gregory Wright, was arrested earlier this week and is charged with aggravated rioting and aggravated robbery. All have pleaded not guilty.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the case has drawn national outrage following comments by Cincinnati City Councilwoman Victoria Parks, who told a local outlet the victims had “begged for it.”