Sixteen-year-old Diamond Alvarez was shot 22-times by her ex-boyfriend who was almost immediately freed on low bond after being arrested.
Yes, Judge Hazel Jones gave Frank DeLeon bond of just $250,000 for murdering the girl a few blocks from her home. So all it took was $25,000 for him to be a free man.
He’s facing at the least life in prison, so what does he have to lose at this point to go after Diamond’s family.
Apparently, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s office was the one who requested the low bond.
Diamond’s family is justifiably outraged that DeLeon is now free.
This week, they marched through downtown Houston to demand justice for Diamond and call on Judge Jones to revoke DeLeon’s bond.
Blanca Mejia, Diamond's aunt, tells Fox 26:
“why is he free? Is her life worth only $25,000? To us, it’s worth a lot more. We’re not even getting justice. He’s free and he lives in the same neighborhood as the mother’s family. So why is he free? The family has been harassed. Why is he free? Why have they not revoked the bond just yet?"
KPRC-TV reports the Diamond’s family says they are getting threats from DeLeon and the DAs office confirms that it is true (emphasis added):
“Diamond’s mother, Anna Machado, is also questioning why Deleon Jr. was released from jail. She said she’s tired of judges letting criminals post bond and get back on the streets. She said her daughter didn’t deserve to be shot and killed.
“I can’t sleep watching the cameras. Any noise I get up. I can’t sleep,” said Machado.
The family also said Delon’s bond should be revoked because they have been getting threats from him.
KPRC asked the District Attorney about any possible threats against Diamond’s family, and the office said it can confirm the family is getting threats, but cannot confirm if they are coming from the defendant or his family or associates.
“This is a really delicate case which draws attention to the various systems that fail our community. We must do better to provide families with safer communities and to hold all people accountable for their actions. We will make multiple stops to bring attention to the people who we must hold accountable for these cases,” said Cesar Espinosa, FIEL executive director.”