After 2 U.S. Marshals Were Shot In The Bronx on Dec 4, Now Man Who Sheltered Fugitive Shooter Is Freed On Bond
Judge Netburn, emphasizing Grandison had no gun, allowed him to be on home detention including leaving to continue work as party planner. From US Attorney, no request for stay, no appeal to Part I
By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
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SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 7 – Days after two Deputy U.S. Marshals were shot in The Bronx, the man who is accused of sheltering the fugitive shooter and lying to the Marshals that he wasn't there were freed on bond.
On December 7, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of NEw York Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn held the bail hearing. Inner City Press live tweeted it, here:
Now in SDNY, detention hearing for GRANT GRANDISON charged with false statements to federal agents and harboring Andre K. Sterling, wanted for Nov 20 shooting of a state trooper in Massachusetts, in his Bronx apartment.
Grandison has a Federal Defender, who will be making a bail argument. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn is presiding.
AUSA: This case involves risk that defendant would flee. He lied to the Marshals - and it could have been worse
AUSA: The firearm that Sterling had still had five bullets in it. He allowed Sterling to stay with him; Sterling told him not to tell anyone he was there. He knew Sterling was wanted to a shooting in Massachusets. The defendant was arrested in 2017 for firearms
AUSA: He got into a diversionary program, and got out of it in 2019. That doesn't give him license to harbor a fugitive. He got a break from NJ, but then allowed a violent fugitive to stay in his apartment.
AUSA: Page 3 of the Pre-Trial Services report, he says he makes $600 a month -but spends a lot more. So we think he could flee. He traveled recently to Jamaica and Bali (!) In terms of danger, harboring a fugitive is a danger to the Marshals and to the community
Federal Defender: He merely opened the door. It's a stretch to say he "gave Sterling time" for the shooting. There's no basis to say he condoned it. He is a 35 year old man. He is a business owner, with his wife. There no mandatory minimum here.
AUSA: It's not accurate to say he merely opened the door. He should have put his hands up and pointed and said, He's in there. Instead, he lied. And two deputy Marshals were shot, and a police officer was injured. He should be detained.
Judge Netburn: You've made it clear the defendant did not have any gun. The news that 2 of our own were shot ran like wildfire in the courthouse. I understand they'll be out of the hospital shortly, and we're grateful. But is Mr. Grandison a risk of flight? No.
Judge: There's no evidence he has violence in his history. So there are bail conditions I can set. [Some might opine that EDNY prosecutors would appeal such a decision to the 2d Circuit. Here?]
Judge: So, home detention. You can go to work, in party planning. AUSA: Nothing further from the government. [No request for stay, no appeal to Part 1]
Judge: We're adjourned. Stay safe.
The case is US v. Grandison, 20-mj-___ (Netburn)