A community activist accused of attempting to firebomb a police station during riots in Milwaukee two summers ago will be released from jail ahead of his trial.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Justice alleged that 31-year-old Vaun Mayes and others made Molotov cocktails and were planning to throw them at a police station in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood in August 2016. Prosecutors say Mayes was upset with the fatal police shooting of an African-American man, Sylville Smith.
During a detention hearing Thursday, a federal prosecutor argued Mayes was a threat to the public. But Magistrate Judge William Duffin ruled Mayes could be released, with conditions. Defense attorney Robert LeBell said the court got it right.
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“The government provided nothing other than bare bones allegations. So, I think the judge saw that and made a decision,” LeBell told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Milwaukee.
Mayes’ friend, Samuel Alford, told reporters the court recognized Mayes’ work with a violence prevention program.
“I think it says that Mr. Mayes feeds the kids. He mentors kids. He helped facilitate a mural being put up in Sherman Park,” Alford said.
The Justice Department said it may ask a district court to overrule the magistrate.
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