A U.S. district court in Seattle denied bail to James Bryant, accused of conspiring with Jesse Van Rootselaar in the February Tumbler Ridge, B.C., mass killing.
The Story
A U.S. court in Seattle, Wash., denied bail to James Bryant, who is accused of conspiring with Jesse Van Rootselaar, the shooter in the February Tumbler Ridge, B.C., mass killing.
According to Emilie Langlie with the Department of Justice, Bryant was ordered detained by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Federal prosecutors argued to keep Bryant behind bars, alleging in a written submission that the Bellingham, Wash., resident “helped plan a mass murder over the course of several months” and would pose a danger to the community if released.
Bryant’s public defender, Dennis Carroll, says his client goes by the name Melody and refers to her using female pronouns.
Carroll argued in a written submission that Bryant should be released because she has no criminal record, and has stable housing and employment and “strong community ties.”
The lawyer said Bryant voluntarily met with investigators and that there is no evidence she “initiated the planning or engaged in any violence” related to the attack that left eight victims dead. Carroll added that Bryant “repeatedly tried to dissuade Van Rootselaar from committing mass murder.”
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