SUSPECT IN FATAL WASHINGTON CO. SHOOTING OUT ON BOND
A 17-year-old from Navasota who is facing murder and assault charges in Washington County has been released on bond.
(Washington Co. Jail)
Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak confirmed that Tru’Von Sweed posted $80,000 bond and was released from custody on Thursday, July 29th. Bond was set by County Court at Law Judge Eric Berg.
Sweed was certified last week to be tried as an adult on charges stemming from a fatal shooting in Old Washington on March 15, 2020. 20-year-old Derrick Anthony Davis, Jr. of Hempstead was killed, and two others were wounded.
Sweed, who was a juvenile at the time of the shooting, will be tried for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon, and deadly conduct.
KWHI has reached out to the Washington County Attorney’s office for information on any bond conditions for Sweed, although Hanak said he is not aware of any.
KWHI also attempted to contact Berg, but was told by the County Court at Law office that he is out of town this week at a conference.
The bond is set on the recommendation of the County Attorney. So apparently the disconnect lies elsewhere!
Contact Renee Ann Mueller, Washington County Attorney to voice your concern. This is an elected position.
“Bond was set by County Court at Law Judge Eric Berg.” Is this statement wrong or in error?
According to the Texas Association of Counties Bail Bond Handbook, Sec 4, a. Art. 17.15. – Rules for Fixing Amount of Bail
“The amount of bail to be required in any case is to be regulated by the court, judge,
magistrate or officer taking the bail;[…]”
I believe anyone arrested for murder should remain in jail without the privilege of bail.
Judge Eric Berg needs to be voted out of office. He does not care about the citizens whom he was elected to serve.
Agree with Thanks, don’t understand why he got released, just like the ones that get arrrested for their 3rd offense of drunk driving. I guess someone will have to get killed before eyes are opened.
Thank you very much Judge Eric Berg. The apparent disconnect between your understanding of what goes on in society and the general population is extreme. Will you take responsibility if this person is involved in any criminal activity, or more so in which a person was injured or killed? Would you make an apology to anyone’s family if a family member was injured or killed by this person? While you certainly have discretion in your job, I’m sure that the bail might have been set higher and thus either caused those that put the money up to place more thought into it or cause them to put more of their personal property at risk of forfeiture. I guess you have adopted Governor Abbott’s belief that “Texans will do the responsible thing”; it seems to me that irresponsibility can be clearly seen from the suspect’s actions that started this, to your decision to let him out for $8,000.
Agree 100% with you Thanks! $8000 bond is waaayyy too low for the 5 counts he will be tried for! I guess that seemed fair in Judge Bergs eyes while he was glancing at his case! I guess maybe since it’s a 17 year old first(maybe) brush with the law that’s why it’s so low? I guess it’s about the same as seeing people you know have been charged multiple times for DWI out in public drinking alcohol right?
It is obvious our criminal justice system is taking care of the criminal element by allowing these thugs released on such ridiculous low bonds for major felony offenses.
Learn to take care of your family and yourself because it seems as if we are on our own in this world of “protect the criminal”.
Elections have consequences.