A 17-year-old, who has been already arrested a dozen times, allegedly raped a woman while released from jail on bond, but had his bond reinstated by a judge in November of 2019.
D’Shawn Garrison who is in Fulton County Jail awaiting a rape charge case, in spite of a lengthy police record, had his bond reinstated by Judge Rachel Krause.
Garrison’s bond was set at $50,000, but his accuser says that the fact that he was granted bail makes her feel victimized again.
The victim, a mother of two, was out jogging when she says she was attacked by Garrison in broad daylight in May of last year.
At the time of the assault Garrison was out on bond for a theft case.
Speaking to WSB, she said, “It was just a vicious attack, and I think he would’ve killed me, eventually. I probably had a few more minutes left in me.”
“I kind of feel like maybe I’ve done my part and everybody else needs to do theirs now.”
Fighting against the rape case, Garrison, who is also facing aggravated assault charges, wrote a letter to his lawyer saying that he wanted to go back to school and get a job in the meantime.
During the attack, the victim recalled Garrison wearing an ankle tag, she recounted, “He was wearing an ankle monitor when he attacked me. I don’t know how many crimes this kid has to commit before they actually keep him in jail.”
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard blasted the decision to grant the minor, with a dozen previous arrests, bail.
In the statement, Howard said, “In the next two weeks, I will be making recommendations to change our entire system that will be based upon national standards.
“Until our system changes, the problems will continue.”
Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields also expressed her disappointment at bond being awarded to Garrison.
She said, “If there was a crime that deserved a strong message from our judicial system, this was certainly it. This was a horrific, violent attack carried out by a young man who has already shown a propensity toward violence and a blatant disregard for the justice system.”