Senator Brent Taylor is calling for disciplinary action against Judge Bill Anderson after Anderson released Detawn Gunn, the suspect in the Railgarten shooting, on his own recognizance. Taylor's review of court audio revealed errors in Anderson's understanding of bail law. Senator Brent Taylor, who supports legislation to strengthen bail conditions, criticized Anderson on his post on X, arguing that his decision could threaten public safety.
UPDATE 🚨 After reviewing the audio of the bail hearing where Judge Anderson released Defendant Detawn Gunn on his own recognizance with no bail, I learned that Judge Anderson incorrectly stated the law in regards to setting conditions on bail. Because of a law I authored last… pic.twitter.com/CBXCFVBi8P
— Senator Brent Taylor (@SenBrentTaylor) September 6, 2024
Under the scrutiny of the legislator's call for action, Gunn's release is now a flashpoint in a broader debate on the bail system. Speaking to Action News 5, Taylor accuses the judge, "He is looking for every excuse to let this person out on their own recognizance and he is not following state law." His efforts have led to an ongoing investigation by the Board of Judicial Conduct. Anderson, who believes that pre-trial release affords the court more leverage, had previously faced reprimand for criticizing the bail bond industry, indicating a potential pattern of dissent against prevailing systems.
The case against Gunn, involving shooting over a parking dispute leading to severe injuries among five people, has caused an uproar within the community. Judge Anderson, confronted with the severity of the case, admitted in court audio that his decision to set no bail would draw ire, as reported by FOX13, stating: "Tomorrow’s newspaper is going to sound heinous." However, despite the pushback, the judge underscored Gunn's employment status and lack of criminal history as primary factors in his favor.
Even so, Senator Taylor remains steadfast in his pursuit of accountability, not sparing partisan ties, voicing criticism of Anderson, who shares his Republican affiliation. "He is a Republican, as I am, but he is not following the law," Taylor told FOX13. Taylor has called for the case to be referred to the General Assembly, which could result in Judge Anderson’s censure or removal depending on the investigation's outcome.
Detawn Gunn is following all pretrial bond conditions, including a curfew, daily reporting to pre-trial services, and drug testing, as confirmed by his attorney, Scott Hall. Gunn is allowed to break curfew to take his father to dialysis treatments. The debate over pretrial practices and public safety is likely to continue as legal and disciplinary processes move forward.
