The Bail Project has poured more than $90 million into bailing suspects out of jail, including individuals who later killed people while free on bail.
The organization says its mission is to provide "free bail assistance" and "reunite families." In multiple instances, however, defendants bailed out by the organization later killed someone, at times shortly after being released from jail. In total, the organization claimed in a 2024 report that it has provided $91 million in "bail assistance" to defendants.
Below are individuals accused or convicted of murder after The Bail Project paid their bail.
Donnie Allen allegedly murdered 27-year-old Benjamin McComas at a Cleveland rail station around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, according to Cuyahoga County Jail. Five days after being released from jail, Allen was arrested for the alleged murder of McComas.
Two family members told Fox News Digital they had told The Bail Project that Allen shouldn't be released, because he would continue to reoffend and needs professional help or to remain incarcerated. The group ignored their warnings, they said.
"We knew that he would end up in [jail] anyway, because he does break into people's cars and whatnot. We just, we've always wanted the best for him. Whenever he starts doing good, he self-sabotages and just ends up back in jail. And that's the reason why we felt the need to let them know that they shouldn't post his bail," one family member told Fox News Digital. "I just feel like the whole situation could have been avoided and a life would be living had they listened to what we had to say when they asked."
Allen has a lengthy rap sheet, which dates back to at least 2019 and includes burglary, assault on a peace officer, resting arrest and more.
Allen's attorney, James Jenkins, previously told Fox News Digital that the Dec. 14 alleged murder was "far from" an intentional homicide.
Travis Lang was initially arrested in December 2020 on charges of possession of cocaine in addition to three other felony charges, including breaking and entering, resisting arrest and burglary, according to first-degree murder in relation to Johnson's death. He had previous convictions for assault and drug charges. Scott was found guilty of murdering his wife in 2022 and sentenced to life without parole.
The Bail Project's Executive Director Robin Steinberg previously said in a statement that while the organization was "deeply saddened" with Johnson's death, blame shouldn't be directed towards the group.
"No one could have predicted this tragedy," Steinberg said in a statement. "It's important to remember that had he been wealthy enough to afford his bail, or bonded out by a commercial bail bond agency, he would have been free pretrial as well. In times like this, we must come together for this family and keep sight of the need to transform the larger systems that create poverty, racism and violence, including the pretrial bail system."
Marcus Garvin was initially arrested after he was charged with battery for an incident in December 2020 where he allegedly stabbed a customer at an Indianapolis Circle K convenience store, according to WRTV.
His bond was initially set at $30,000 for that incident, but was lowered to $1,500 on Jan. 11, 2021, by Marion Superior Court Judge Shatrese Flowers, who ordered him on GPS monitoring.
The Bail Project paid Garvin's $1,500 bond, according to FOX 59.
On July 24, 2021, Garvin stabbed 30-year-old Christie Holt to death at a motel and attempted to dismember her body. Eventually, Garvin decided to dump her body near the motel.
Garvin admitted to stabbing and killing Holt, and repeatedly apologized but said "she deserved it," an affidavit said. He added that he missed her and still loved her, but felt like "he had no other option."
Garvin pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, The Bail Project said: "The Bail Project condemns violence, and we are deeply concerned by any allegations involving our clients, especially those that include a loss of life," the organization said. "Cases like these are extremely rare. Across more than 35,000 people we have provided with free bail assistance, the vast majority return to court with a 92% appearance rate. This is consistent with research showing that serious or violent rearrests before trial are uncommon, and when they do happen, they’re seen across every type of release – whether someone is bailed out by a bondsman, released on their own recognizance, or supported by a charitable bail fund."
Fox News Digital's Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.