When someone gets beaten badly enough to need medical attention, most people expect the system to take it seriously.
That’s not what happened in Cincinnati this week — and it’s got folks all across the country shaking their heads.
This wasn’t some small-town misunderstanding.
The violent attack in downtown Cincinnati was so bad that both the FBI and the Department of Justice have stepped in.
When federal investigators get involved, you know it’s serious.
One of the victims, a woman named Holly, was left with severe bruising. This wasn’t a minor scuffle. It was an ugly, physical assault.
Yet Judge Alan Triggs decided to go soft.
Bond Slashed for Violent Suspects
Two of the suspects — Aisha Devaughn and Dekyra Vernon — were initially held on high bonds, $300,000 and $200,000.
That makes sense when you’re talking about violent crime. But Judge Triggs cut both of their bonds down to just $25,000 each.
NEW: Two female suspects in the brutal Cincinnati beating get a massive break, will only have to pay a fraction of their original bond.
24-year-old Dekyra Vernon is believed to be the woman who was seen on footage allegedly punching ‘Holly’ from behind.
She was being held on a… pic.twitter.com/AxqTvpzoZO
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 15, 2025
According to Local12.com, the decision was met with cheers in the courtroom gallery.
That alone should raise eyebrows. Why would anyone celebrate giving accused violent attackers an easier path back onto the streets?
This is the same judge known for lowering cash bonds in what he calls “low-level crimes.”
But here’s the problem: this wasn’t low-level. It was violent. And violent crimes deserve real consequences.
A Pattern of Soft Justice
The Cincinnati area has been struggling with crime for years.
MacroTrends data shows crime there jumped significantly in 2017, and while numbers move around year to year, the overall problem hasn’t gone away.
Many residents already feel unsafe, and decisions like this only make it worse.
And it’s not just an Ohio problem. Nevada’s seen the same pattern. Critics have long called out Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) for being soft on crime.
Back when Ford was a state senator, he sponsored a bill that raised the dollar amount of stolen goods needed before shoplifting became a felony.
That change meant thieves could steal more before facing serious consequences — and it sent the wrong message to criminals.
It’s no surprise that, under policies like that, organized retail theft rings have exploded in places like Las Vegas and Reno.
Just like in Cincinnati, when you lower the penalties, you raise the chances that criminals will push the limits.
Yes, Race Is Part of the Conversation
Nobody likes to talk about it, but the racial element is there. In this case, the suspects are black women and the victim is white.
If the races were reversed, it’s hard to imagine the coverage — and the judge’s decision — would look the same.
The public has every right to wonder if political pressure or fear of backlash played a role in cutting that bond so drastically.
Public Safety vs. Political Agendas
Some defenders of Judge Triggs argue that high bonds unfairly punish poor defendants. They claim reducing bail levels the playing field.
But here’s the truth: when someone commits a violent assault, the priority should be protecting the public, not making sure the accused can get home faster.
Victims like Holly didn’t get a “reduced risk” when she was attacked. She got bruises and trauma that will take time to heal.
Meanwhile, the people accused of doing it could be walking free before she’s even recovered.
The same mindset is behind too many of Nevada’s criminal justice policies. Leaders like Aaron Ford have made it easier for offenders to avoid real punishment.
That’s great news for criminals — not so much for the rest of us who want to feel safe in our neighborhoods.
Nevadans have seen too many headlines about dangerous people getting cut loose.
Whether it’s in Clark County or Washoe, we’ve had our share of violent criminals walking the streets because judges and prosecutors treated them like they were no threat.
Those choices have real costs — in injuries, in lost lives, and in communities living in fear.
If we keep electing leaders and judges who think the problem is “too much jail,” we’ll keep getting more crime. It’s that simple.
When a judge slashes bail for people accused of violent crimes, it sends a clear message: your safety is not their top priority.
This case out of Cincinnati is a warning sign for every community, including ours here in Nevada.
If we want safe streets, we need leaders willing to stand up to criminals — not give them a quick ticket back into society.
The justice system is supposed to protect the innocent, punish the guilty, and keep the public safe.
If it can’t even get that right in a case this serious, something is badly broken. And it’s not going to fix itself.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
