Ohio repeat offender arrested for murder after The Bail Project paid reduced bond

An Ohio repeat offender is accused of killing a man just days after a judge lowered his bail and a nonprofit organization paid for his release. Donnie Allen is charged with aggravated murder in the December 14 shooting death of 27-year-old Benjamin McComas at a light rail station in Cleveland. Allen was arraigned on the charge and is currently being held on a $1 million bond.

According to a report by Fox News, Allen had been arrested earlier in the month in connection with a separate incident at a light rail station on December 4. In that case, he was charged with drug possession, breaking and entering, vandalism, obstructing official business, and possessing criminal tools. His bond was initially set at $15,000 but was reduced to $5,000 on December 8 by Judge Joy Kennedy.

Following the reduction, the nonprofit organization The Bail Project paid only $500, 10 percent of the lowered bond, securing Allen’s release from jail. Five days later, Allen was arrested again, this time in connection with the alleged murder of McComas.

Court records show Allen has an extensive criminal history. He has previously pleaded guilty to or been convicted of multiple offenses, including several burglary charges dating back to 2019. In a statement to Fox News, The Bail Project said it “condemns violence” and is “deeply concerned by the recent allegation involving Mr. Allen.”

"Our mission at The Bail Project is to ensure that people are not jailed pretrial solely because they cannot afford bail. Our organization exists to address inequities in a system where wealth often determines who remains incarcerated before trial," the organization said. "Any loss of life is a tragedy, and we remain committed to building a fairer, more just pretrial system that respects due process, promotes safety, and avoids a misguided reliance on cash bail."

Judge Kennedy has previously expressed support for bail reform. In written responses last year to The Marshall Project, she said, "Bail reform is necessary to address issues of inequities within the criminal justice system. I believe this is an ever-evolving matter that must constantly be addressed to promote equal access to justice and prevent unnecessary pretrial detention.”

She also discussed her judicial philosophy during a podcast interview last year with Strategic Move Network, where she said she wanted to serve with “compassionate justice,” adding that she believes she has the “temperament and ability” to decide who should go to prison and who should not.