HOUSTON – During a bond reduction hearing on Tuesday for the suspect accused of killing Migos rapper Takeoff, a judge decided to keep Patrick Clark’s bond at $1 million.
On Tuesday, Clark’s attorney, Letitia Quinones, said she was “optimistic” that her client’s bond would be reduced to $300k, but on Wednesday, a judge said he decided not to lower Clark’s bond because he fears he may be a flight risk since he had his passport on him at the time of his arrest. The judge is leaving the decision open for the defense to appeal.
“Although we respect Judge Hill as well as his decision today, we disagree with it. And to be honest, we are very surprised by it,” Quinones said during a news conference Wednesday after the bond hearing.
Prosecutors also opposed the state’s request for a lower bond, questioning Clark’s assets. While Clark and his family claim the DJ by trade does not make a salary that could support a high bond, photos obtained by the DA’s office from Clark’s based Instagram account tell a very different story. Clark is seen with stacks of cash, and also had a large amount of cash on him the day he was arrested. At that time, he also had an itinerary for Mexico in his possession.
Despite the judge’s concerns, Quinones said the judge previously laid out a list of requirements in order for Clark’s bond to be lowered, which the attorney said she and her client followed.
The judge reportedly asked Quinones to find a bail bonding company that would do immediate notifications of any GPS violations, a fee affidavit that Clark filled out to assess his financial situation and his passport.
“We complied with every requirement that the judge asked of us, only to be told today that it will not be lowered. So yes, we are very disappointed, we disagree and we are surprised,” Quinones said.
Clark has been charged with murder in the death of Takeoff, who was one-third of the famed Atlanta music group, alongside Offset and Quavo, who is Takeoff’s uncle.
The uncle and nephew were attending a birthday party in Houston on Nov. 1 when a hail of gunfire erupted outside a downtown Houston bowling alley. Takeoff, whose real name was Kirsnick Kari Ball, was fatally struck. He was 28 years old.
A monthlong investigation led to Clark being fingered as the triggerman.
Clark’s initial bond was set at $2,000,000 but his legal team argued that amount was excessive. They filed a motion on Dec. 13 asking for the bond to be reduced to $100,000. While that request was declined, the new bond was reduced to $1,000,000.
WATCH: Attorney Quinones speaks out about being “surprised” by judge’s decision to deny her clients bond reduction
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