Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has strongly criticized New York’s bail reforms after four individuals suspected of dismembering two bodies and scattering the remains around Long Island were released without bail. One of the accused, Amanda Wallace, was arrested for stealing beauty products from a CVS store while under court-ordered electronic monitoring. Wallace, who pleaded not guilty to petit larceny, was taken into custody after a CVS employee reported the alleged theft. Despite wearing a GPS monitor, Wallace violated the conditions of her earlier release, leading to her being held without bail in the body parts case.
Prosecutors requested a $10,000 cash bail for Wallace, highlighting the fact that she committed the crime while under electronic monitoring. Suffolk County Judge James McDonaugh ordered her to be held without bail for the body parts case and set a bail of $5,000 cash, $10,000 surety bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond for the petit larceny charge. McDonaugh expressed his disappointment, stating, “At the bare minimum, you should be able to go nine days without being rearrested.”
Alongside Wallace, her boyfriend Steven Brown, Jeffrey Mackey, and Alexis Nieves have also pleaded not guilty to charges of hindering prosecution, concealment of a human corpse, and tampering with physical evidence. The evidence against them includes human remains, meat cleavers, butcher knives, significant amounts of blood, and video surveillance footage. The victims, Malcolm Brown and Donna Conneely, were found dismembered in various locations around Babylon.
The release of all four defendants without bail has sparked outrage, with Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney condemning New York’s bail reforms. According to Tierney, the 2019 reform laws do not allow for bail in cases involving the chopping up and disposal of dead bodies. This case highlights the flaws in the bail reform system, as dangerous individuals are being released back into the community, posing a risk to public safety.
It is crucial for the justice system to prioritize the safety of the public and ensure that those accused of heinous crimes are held accountable. The decision to release individuals without bail in such serious cases undermines the very purpose of the criminal justice system. New York’s bail reforms need to be reevaluated to prevent further instances of accused criminals walking free and potentially endangering innocent lives.
The Suffolk County District Attorney and law enforcement officials are calling for immediate action to address the shortcomings of the bail reform laws. The safety and well-being of the community must take precedence over misguided attempts to overhaul the criminal justice system. It is time for lawmakers to reassess the consequences of their policies and make the necessary changes to protect the public from violent criminals.
