BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo woman accused of running over a New York State trooper and two other police officers with a car during a protest on June 1 will now be released from custody at the Erie County Holding Center. It could happen perhaps as soon as Thursday.
On Tuesday, US District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo agreed to release Deyanna Davis, 30, from custody on $75,000 bail with electronic monitoring. There are other conditions such as no further operation of a motor vehicle unless there is federal approval and a mental health evaluation. Davis must also pay $20,000 bail on state charges of attempted murder. Her case is slated to go before an Erie County Grand Jury.
Davis is facing a variety of both state and federal charges including attempted murder in the first degree, aggravated assault upon a police officer, assault in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree.
Federal prosecutors had argued that she was a danger to the community and a flight risk, but now a state judge as well as a federal magistrate and Vilardo have all agreed she could be granted bail. The government's case stated that Semaj Pigram, another suspect arrested that night, was a backseat passenger in the car and had fired ten rounds from a stolen handgun. Prosecutors contend that she may have tried to help him escape. There have also been references to a past criminal behavior as a teenager and alleged substance abuse on the night of the incident. The judge seemed to discount those factors.
A New York State trooper was seriously injured in the incident. Another state trooper and a Buffalo Police officer were also hurt that night.
There was no comment today from either the US Attorney's Office or the Erie County District Attorney. But Davis' attorney did speak with 2 on Your Side.
Defense Attorney Samuel P. Davis says "They tried to dehumanize my client. Made her some sort of soldier of fortune/mercenary. She could withstand gunfire, withstand tear gas, be ice cold and everything and navigate traffic. She was supposed to be okay. I just don't see it." He added "Whatever happened in that back seat - even if it stays in their theory - it makes no sense that my client would be a part of that."
Davis further contends that his client was confused at the time of the incident and and did not know there was a weapon in the car.
He says she is also anxious to get home to see her children and other family members.
Protesters have repeatedly called for her release during various demonstrations.
A family spokesman says there may be a press conference held when Davis is released on bail so that family members can also express their sympathy and concern for the injured police officers.