HOUSTON – Editor’s Note: Since this story was published, there was an update in the case. Henderson is now in jail on no bond. Read the update here.
The man accused of killing Nassau Bay Sgt. Kaila Sullivan was wearing a Harris County-issued yellow jumpsuit and Sullivan’s handcuffs when he appeared in court Thursday night, where a judge set his bond set at $150,000.
Tavores Henderson, 21 was initially charged with murder, but the charge was upgraded to capital murder Friday.
Henderson was arrested Thursday after eluding the authorities for two days. Police said he ran over Sullivan with a car Tuesday after she attempted to arrest him on an outstanding warrant for family assault charges.
There had been a manhunt for his capture for nearly two days before an anonymous tip led to his capture. His mother, Tiffany Henderson, and her boyfriend, Geoffrey Wheeler, were also arrested Thursday for assisting in helping Henderson elude police for two days.
Outraged Reactions
Many people across the Houston area, including several law enforcement officials and community leaders, were outraged at the bond amount saying it was too low for a man who is wanted in connection with the death of a police officer.
Among those people is Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, who this week is also dealing with the loss of one of his officers.
Acevedo shared a tweet saying in part, ..."This coward who took the life of a hero and poses a clear and present danger to (the) community and the people we serve... Bail decisions need to be made on the basis of risk to public safety and of flight."
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez was also among those not pleased with the low bail.
“$150,000, to me, in this type of case, just doesn’t make sense," Gonzalez said. "It simply doesn’t. I know we’re just one cogg of a bigger system, I respect that. I know that others have to deliberate about that, but we’re putting our law enforcement officers in harm’s way.”
Smh in disbelief. A Police Sgt dead, suspect on the run for couple days, my team and our law enforcement partners do a phenomenal job locating & taking him into custody without incident- I simply do not understand his initial bond set at $150,000. #HouNews
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) December 13, 2019
President of the Houston Police Officers Union, Joe Gamaldi also took to Twitter to express his outrage.
He called the bond “abhorrent for a career criminal (and) documented gang member who is alleged to have ... killed a police officer."
Gamaldi even called out the judge by name asking him to resign from his position.
“(The) PC magistrate that gave dirtbag arrested for murdering Sgt. Sullivan is Colin Amann," Gamaldi said. “Mr. Amann, you need to resign from your position as a non-elected PC court magistrate immediately. Your total lack of judgment/common sense, in this case, prevents you from ever sitting on that bench."
He said that if Amann is unwilling to resign, Harris County should move to terminate his employment.
If Mr Amann is unwilling to resign, Harris County Commissioners Court must take action and terminate his employment. We cannot have someone without common sense making life and death decisions.
— Joe Gamaldi (@JoeGamaldi) December 13, 2019
What happens if he makes bond?
If Henderson makes bond he won’t just walk free. Henderson has another open case Harris County and the judge in that case revoked Henderson’s bond, so he will not be able to leave Harris County even if he posts bail for the $150,000 bond.
Even if he was able to somehow get out of Harris County, Henderson has another open case in Montgomery County. Montgomery County has already revoked that bond, so the Montgomery County DA would ask Harris County to keep him in custody until they can get him and bring him up to the Montgomery County jail.