Bare witness-interference allegation could not justify this bail refusal

Kevonne Reid was readmitted to bail on 11 February while awaiting trial on murder and firearm charges. Written reasons delivered on 15 June explain why the refusal below rested on an inadequate assessment of evidence and risk.

The prosecution alleged interference with a witness, but supplied no sufficiently detailed supporting material despite an opportunity to do so. The appeal judge did not rule hearsay automatically inadmissible at bail hearings. She found this unsupported assertion inadequate to carry the weight placed on it, especially without a fair opportunity to answer it.

The decision also gave insufficient weight to Reid’s previous compliance with bail over almost three years. The court had to examine whether reasonable conditions could manage any remaining risk, rather than treating an identified risk as necessarily requiring detention.

The refusal was set aside and conditional bail granted, including reporting, curfew, travel-document and witness non-interference requirements. The ruling concerned release pending trial; it neither acquitted Reid nor determined whether the underlying criminal allegations were proved.

Bail appeal only. The murder and firearm allegations remained for trial; no guilt finding is made by this report. Written reasons followed the February order. Later proceedings not checked.