BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - A 20-year-old Birmingham man charged with murder will remain in jail after a Jefferson County judge declined to reduce his $150,000 bond.
Circuit Judge Stephen Wallace declined a motion to reduce bond for Stephan Calhoun after attorneys described the "volatile" relationships of those allegedly involved in the shooting and its aftermath.
In December, Calhoun was arrested and charged in the Sept. 19, 2012, shooting death of 18-year-old Devondae Martez Jones, who died hours after he was found shot on a sidewalk in the 1100 block of 25th Street Ensley.
Deputy Jefferson County District Attorney Michael Streety said during the hearing that prosecutors believe Calhoun and Jones knew each other and had argued over a female at some point before the shooting occurred.
Streety said the shooter laid in wait and ambushed Jones as he was walking home, then shot him seven times and left him for dead.
The shooting allegedly has spurred further violence, or threats of violence, Streety said.
"I'm just concerned about the volatile nature of it," he said. "I think the bond is appropriate. We don't know what will happen if he is released, and I'm concerned about the safety and well-being of other witnesses who are material in this case."
Calhoun's attorney, Zachary Peagler, questioned the information provided by one witness who has "a very volatile relationship" with a member of Calhoun's family, saying she has implicated Calhoun out of spite. He also noted that there is not an eyewitness to the shooting.
Wallace declined the motion, saying that $150,000 is a reasonable bond in a murder case. "I don't feel comfortable reducing it," he said.
Calhoun's trial is set to begin April 14.
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