Milwaukee County judge explains teen's release on bond following murder charge

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Monday, 17-year-old Rashaun Seaberry was back in court where he was served a $100,000 bond after violating house arrest restrictions for charges of murdering 26-year-old Jasmine Brown in 2021. The judge said the teen was released on signature bond due to a violation within the Wisconsin statute of a speedy trial.

"It's apparent that the defendant, Seaberry, has no respect for court orders that the court sets bail in the amount of $100,000 cash," said Judge J.D Watts.

Seaberry was originally held on a $30,000 bail but he was eventually released on a $30,000 signature bond and placed on house arrest, only allowed to leave to attend school.

Prosecutors said that shortly after Seaberry was released, he was involved in the shooting death of 19-year-old Camiona Funches in May.

So why was a signature bond granted that allowed Seaberry out in the first place? It happened because prosecutors couldn't get a crucial witness to testify, delaying the trial. According to Judge Watts, that violated Wisconsin's speedy trial statute.

"This court could not, under the plain language of 971.10, find a continuance of the defendant's speedy trial because the plain language says that failure to obtain available witnesses on the part of the state is not a basis of continuance," said Judge Watts.

In short, section three of Wisconsin statute 971.10 states prosecutors can't delay a trial for an extended period of time because they can't make their witnesses available. Section four said a defendant must be discharged from custody if not tried in a timely fashion.

The teen is due back in court July 13 on the latest charges.

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