Nearly two weeks after a Rowan County judge set a $1 million bond for teenager DaJuan Lamont Russell, charged with shooting a Salisbury High School freshman, his attorney his attorney has asked for a bond hearing.
Russell, 17, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, possession of a firearm on school property and discharging a weapon on school property, all felonies.
When he was booked into the Rowan County Detention Center Feb. 10 a magistrate set his bond for $250,000. A few days later, District Court Judge Kevin Eddinger increased that bond during a first court appearance.
Salisbury police say the victim, Shaleek Williams, 16, was trying to break up a fight that began over the weekend and continued that Monday. Williams was shot in the abdomen and taken to the hospital by a parent. He was treated and released later that night.
Russell’s attorney, Steve Gray, was in court today, but his client was not. Russell remains in the Rowan County jail. The teen was expected to be in court today for a probable cause hearing. The hearing was continued until March 10.
Gray said when his client’s bond was increased he had not yet been appointed to represent Russell. Gray said he wanted to submit a request to review the bond.
Assistant District Attorney Michelle Walker told District Court Judge William Kluttz she needed a case summary from the detective who was currently out of town before the case could proceed.
Gray asked if he filed the necessary paperwork to address the bond whether it could be heard this week. Kluttz said it was possibility.
Russell’s aunt, Shenita Russell, also attended this hearing. She spoke with media following her nephew’s Feb. 11 first appearance hearing. Russell said she raised her nephew and told media he was raised in a loving supportive home. Russell has said her family could not financially afford to bail DaJuan out of jail under a $1 million bond. She declined comment today following the hearing.