WREG.com

Victim of BP attack upset over suspect’s bonds

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There was another arrest in the brutal mob attack at a midtown BP Gas station on Friday.

Devin Hulbert was charged with aggravated riot and simple assault.

Nine people, four adults and five juveniles,  were charged in the attack.

Of those nine, seven had criminal histories.

Denizell Gladney had a criminal record of drug charges and aggravated robbery.

His bail was reduced from $100,000 to $30,000.

Darion Milken and Joe Brittman didn’t have records, and their bond was set at $5,000.

The judge, Gerald Skahan, said he would rather have them in school than behind bars.

“It’s frustrating to us as well as the victims,” said Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong about the low bail set for the suspects. “We’re dealing with the same people over and over again.”

The victim in the case, Orrden Williams was upset when he heard about the bond as well.

“Just a slap on the wrist, typical Memphis politics,” he said.

Williams was walking an elderly woman to her car last week outside the BP when the mob hit.

The chaotic scene was caught on surveillance video from the gas station.

Williams said he was sucker punched, and some of the punches nearly hit his baby.

He told WREG when he initially heard about the arrests he was happy.

“I was happy that they were being diligent and finding the people who did it,” he explained.

However, once he heard about the judge reducing their bail, he began to worry there would be more problems down the road.

“They already had their chance and I feel like they could have beat me to death last week. What are you gonna learn in these next two to three months that you haven’t already learned?” he questioned.

Williams said he was afraid not only for his life, but his baby’s who was with him during the attack.

At one point, he considered reaching for the gun that he keeps in his car.

He said the situation could have been a lot different and people are getting fed up with the violence.

“That’s the next step I’m hearing from the citizens that one of these kids is going to end up dead if they don’t up an end to this,” he said.

Williams said he hopes city leaders get the message that something has got to change.

“It’s showing the people they don’t really care about what’s going on out here,” he explained.

Director Armstrong said the bond issue was out of his hands.

“The criminal justice wheel is a very complex wheel, and certainly we have very little influence over these bonds,” he said.

Armstrong continued to encourage a proactive approach and had a message for parents.

“To any parent out there don’t wait until you see your child in one of these video before you start talking to them,” he said.

The three adult suspects will be in court April 24.