Bond, initial Hearing Set For Suspects in Judges’ Shootings

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Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com

Bond has been set at $200,000 and $60,000, respectively, for the two men suspected of shooting two Clark County judges last week. The suspects will return to court Friday for their initial hearing.

Brandon Kaiser and Alfredo Vazquez appeared in Marion Superior Criminal Division 2 on Wednesday morning for advisement of rights hearing after they were arrested Tuesday in connection with the shootings of Clark Circuit Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs. Kaiser’s $200,000 surety bond was converted to a 10 percent cash bond, while Vazquez’s bail will be set at a $60,000, 10 percent cash bond after seven days.

On the state’s motion, the men’s initial hearing was continued to 1 p.m. Friday.

Marion County Jail records show Kaiser, 41, is facing four charges in connection with the May 1 shootings, including felony attempted murder, aggravated battery, and battery, as well as a misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license. Vazquez, 23, is facing a felony charge of assisting a criminal.

Indianapolis police arrested Kaiser and Vazquez after releasing surveillance video last week showing two suspects getting out of an SUV in the parking lot of a downtown Indianapolis White Castle, where the judges were shot around 3:30 a.m. Police say there is no evidence the judges were shot because of their professions.

Adams and Jacobs were in the capital city for a judicial conference and remained hospitalized in stable condition Tuesday evening.

The seven-day waiting period for Vazquez’s bond was imposed because he is currently on probation after a plea agreement entered just weeks before the May 1 shootings. Marion Superior Judge Clayton Graham sentenced Vazquez to 361 days of probation on April 16 for a misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person.

The suspects were brought into court Wednesday morning in handcuffs, with Kaiser wearing an orange jumpsuit and Vazquez wearing gray. Other than replying “Yes, sir” at times, neither man spoke during the hearing.