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Court documents indicate that Shannon Brandt, the left-wing extremist who confessed to murdering an 18-year-old North Dakota boy because of his Republican values, was released after posting $50,000 bail, and does not seem to face further consequences.
According to a Fox News report, Brandt, who confessed to the murder, has not been placed under house arrest or on curfew after posting bail. The court only bars Brandt from leaving North Dakota, from consuming alcohol, and requires him to participate in a 24/7 sobriety program.
Additionally, Brandt’s bond bars him from possessing “firearms, destructive devices or other dangerous weapons,” and imposes a restraining order requiring him to stay more than 300 feet away from the family of the victim, Cayler Ellingson.
Last Sunday, September 18, in the early morning hours, Brandt ran over Ellingson, 18, after a street party in McHenry, North Dakota. Although he initially fled, Brandt called 911 to report the incident, saying he had run over the teenager following a “political dispute” and that he believed he was dealing with a “Republican extremist.”
The person responsible for the crime claimed he felt threatened because Ellingson was calling someone. Police later determined that the young victim had flagged down his mother to pick him up since a stranger was chasing him.
North Dakota Highway Patrol Captain Bryan Niewind stated that there is no evidence to indicate that Ellingson was a member of any extremist group or that the incident involved political disputes.
According to Neama Rahman, a former federal prosecutor, the bail against Brandt was not only insufficient but a “woefully inadequate” sentence.
“Yes, it’s a low amount, no question,” Rahman told Fox News. “Dealing with a vehicular manslaughter case, that’s low across the board.”
Brant’s attorney, Mark Friese, told the news network that he will give Ellingson’s family time to mourn the young man’s death before issuing any statement.
Tomás Lugo, journalist and writer. Born in Venezuela and graduated in Social Communication. Has written for international media outlets. Currently living in Colombia // Tomás Lugo, periodista y articulista. Nacido en Venezuela y graduado en Comunicación Social. Ha escrito para medios internacionales. Actualmente reside en Colombia.