New charge for murder suspect previously released on $100 bond
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Stephon Morson, 19, accused of killing a 20-year-old in October, is set for a hearing Thursday afternoon so the courts can take up an additional charge he now faces in the case.
The victim in this case is Keshawn Cage, a young father.
Today's hearing is the latest step in what has become a contentious back-and-forth regarding Morson's bond.
Morson’s bond was originally set at $800,000, but a judge lowered it to $100, according to court records. Morson posted that bond and was released from custody. Court documents show the $799,900 bond drop for Morson occurred because the state did not secure an indictment for him within 90 days.
During a hearing in February, Judge Chantal Eldridge increased Morson's bond to $100,000 after hearing arguments from the State. She addressed the previous $100 bond, saying while she "did not want to release this defendant on bond," the law required her to, due to the missed indictment deadline from the State. Morson was taken back into custody following that hearing.
Morson's attorney Brian Erskine said Morson was eventually able to bond out, but Morson was booked back into jail on March 7 on a new charge: Obstruction or Retaliation. Court documents indicate this charge stems from the same October 2024 homicide as Morson's murder charges.
Discussions on the obstruction charge are set to take place at this afternoon's hearing. KXAN will update this story once court proceedings are done.
How prosecutors missed the 90-day deadline
District Attorney Jose Garza said “management problems” with a former prosecutor led to the missed deadline. Garza said that prosecutor had about 20 years of experience, and resigned the day after the problems were addressed.
The district attorney also said prior case law supports the notion that judges can reissue a higher bond after a suspect is released as a result of the 90-day deadline getting missed.
Additionally, he said an amendment to state law on bail reform was introduced Wednesday that would give judges more discretion on bond amounts in instances of prosecutors not securing indictments within the 90 days.