Two suspects charged in connection with the brutal July 26 Cincinnati beatdown that went viral on social media have been released on bond after a Democrat judge drastically reduced their bail.
Meanwhile, police are searching for an eighth suspect tied to the horrific assault.
The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that DeKyra Vernon, 24, and Aisha Devaughn, 25, were released from the county jail on Friday.
Judge Alan Triggs, a Democrat, slashed Vernon’s bond from $250,000 to $25,000 and Devaughn’s bond from $300,000 to $25,000.
Each woman was required to pay only 10 percent, $2,500, to walk free.
Both suspects face three counts of felonious assault, three counts of assault, and two counts of aggravated rioting in connection with the downtown attack.
The Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) announced Friday that it is now seeking an eighth suspect in the case.
“Central Business Section is investigating a Felonious Assault offense that occurred on 4th Street and Elm on July 26, 2025,” CPD said in a statement on X.
Police did not release details about the suspect’s alleged role in the assault.
The violent incident, which unfolded outside a nightclub at Fourth and Elm Streets in the early hours of July 26, left the victims bloodied and sparked national outrage after footage of the attack circulated widely online.
Six other suspects — Patrick Rosemond, 38; Jermaine Matthews, 39; Montianez Merriweather, 34; and Dominique Kittle, 37 — have also been charged with multiple counts of felonious assault, assault, and aggravated rioting.
Matthews was able to immediately post his $250,000 bond, while the others remain behind bars.
Merriweather is also facing a separate federal gun charge for illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
A seventh defendant, Gregory Wright, 32, was indicted last week on aggravated riot and felony aggravated robbery charges after allegedly ripping a necklace off one of the victims while the group assault was underway.
Prosecutors say Wright not only robbed the victim but also filmed the beating.
At an August 1 press conference, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval insisted that every individual responsible for the violence would face charges.
“I agree with Pastor Lynch that there is no doubt that this public safety challenge, that this incident will require further investigation, further charges, and further arrests for every single person involved,” Pureval said.
But the incident has also raised racial tensions in the city.
Rev. Damon Lynch, a prominent community leader, expressed concern that only black suspects have been arrested so far, even though the victims were white.
“But when I see the mugshots, I only see people who look like me,” Lynch said.
“I don’t see the person who re-engaged.
“And so, until we see all the mugshots, this is still a racial issue.”
The case has continued to attract widespread national attention both because of the shocking violence of the video and because of the judicial leniency shown in reducing bonds for serious felony charges.
The public backlash has fueled debate over whether political and racial considerations are influencing how the case is being handled in Hamilton County courts.
With an eighth suspect still at large, the case remains active, and police are urging anyone with information to contact CPD Detective Blank.
READ MORE – Cincinnati Leaders Demand Prosecution of Mob Attack Victims
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