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Worthy to appeal after court gives $10K bond to man charged in 2019 Garden City murder

By and Amber Ainsworth
Updated  April 5, 2021 5:05pm EDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 2 Detroit

Family pushes for judge to reconsider bond after man charged with murder released from jail

A man charged with killing a Detroit police officer is out on bond for medical reasons, and the victim's family is demanding that the bond decision be reconsidered.

GARDEN CITY, Mich. (FOX 2) - Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said she plans to appeal the bond decision after a man charged with killing a Detroit police officer was released from jail.

Eddie Ray Johnson is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 2019 murder of Elaine Williams at their Garden City home.

Johnson was given a $100,000/10% bond with a GPS tether and house arrest for a medical procedure after his bond was reduced last week.

Murder suspect Eddie Ray Johnson.

Murder suspect Eddie Ray Johnson.

Judge Lawrence Talon issued the bond. If he posts bond, Johnson will stay out until the trial, which could be nearly a year from now.

"A compassionate release? Where is the compassion for her family, where's the compassion for her children?" said pastor Maurice Hardwick, a community activist.

Johnson is accused of shooting Williams multiple times before shooting and injuring himself at their home on Belton Street on June 2, 2019.

"She was shot five times. Tragically, one of her sons remained in the home when this incident occurred," Detroit police Chief James Craig said. 

DPD Officer Elaine Williams was 35 at the time of her suspected murder.

Elaine Williams

Williams, a sergeant with the Detroit Police Department, was a 14-year veteran of the force when she was killed at 35. She had a son with Johnson.

"I live in Detroit, the county of Wayne, and I am disgusted," said Detroit police Sgt. Mark Young.

Williams' family and Detroit police officials are angry at the decision to let Johnson out on bail.

"Her life was worth more than any bail amount and certainly worth more than $10,000," her said Keisha Kemble said. "Our hearts are forever broke and this decision has opened a wound that will not heal."

The community is calling on the judge to reconsider the bond.

"This is a ridiculously low bond for a first-degree murder case. It was inappropriate, and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office will be appealing the court’s bond decision," Worthy said.

Talon did not return Fox 2's calls seeking comment, and Johnson's defense attorney declined to comment.

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