"Slap in the Face" - Families of Providence Murder Victims Decry Suspects Being Granted Bail

"Slap in the Face" - Families of Providence Murder Victims Decry Suspects Being Granted Bail

Families of two homicide victims in Providence are decrying their sons' suspected murderers being granted bail -- and set free -- while awaiting trial. 

On September 7, 2021, Quelon Page turned himself in for the murder of Tyreik Grundy on Pope Street in May. 

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On September 10, 2021 Providence police announced the arrest of Andrew Mangru for the murder of Andrei Bonilla that occurred on August 28, 2021 on Branch Avenue. 

Despite strong objections from law enforcement and the Attorney General's office -- Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Kristin Rodgers granted both suspects bail. 

"The two families were outraged about the decision of the court — as a result they wanted to speak out about the bail set by the court," Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare said on Tuesday. 

Grundy's mother Michelle McNair, barely speaking through tears, called the bail decision a "slap in the face." 

"Like my baby didn’t matter," said McNair. "Other families shouldn’t have to feel the way we do."

Bonilla's parents also expressed their sorrow -- and outrage. 

"Never in a million years did we think we’d be here in front of cameras talking about a murderer being let free," said Bonilla. "After hearing the court — the Supreme Court of our state that was going out on bail was completely devastating. I don’t want to say he got away with murder but it does feel like that."

 

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As GoLocal reported in December, "2 Years Ago, RI Man Sentenced to 9 Years on Drug Charges - Now, Arrested Again;"

Two years ago, the Rhode Island State Police -- to great fanfare -- announced a major drug and gun bust of four Providence brothers.

One of the men arrested, Luis Enrique Molina, already had a lengthy record of arrests and incarceration. 

Court records show that on June 12, 2020, Judge Kristin Rodgers sentenced Molina to nine years on drug charges, after he had been charged with a dozen felonies related to both drugs and firearms stemming from the February 2019 State Police arrest.

The term to serve however was set at 27 months with 81 months suspended.

Molina ultimately served 19 months of Rodgers' nine-year sentence and was released in September 2020.

This past week, Molina was arrested once again on weapons and fentanyl charges. 

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In December, Rhode Island courts spokesperson Craig Berke, when asked if Rodgers had comment, provided the following. 

"As the court spokesman, I would point out that judges in no way control when a defendant is released from serving a sentence.  That is the purview of the Department of Corrections.  The plea and sentence were reached based on the facts and circumstances of this case, and in consultation with the State (prosecution). This defendant now faces 6 years and 3 months more time at the ACI – the suspended portion of the full sentence – after being presented as a probation violator, which requires a lower burden of proof than proof beyond a reasonable doubt," said Berke. "The judge has no comment."