HOUSTON — The accused Texas cop killer was given a ridiculously low bond. The man charged in the death of a Nassau Bay police sergeant was given a $150,000 bond for a murder charge during his first court appearance Thursday night, ABC 13 reported.
Tavores Dewayne Henderson, 21, wore his jail-issued uniform inside Harris County Probable Cause Court as he heard charges read to him.
On Tuesday night, police said Henderson was in the process of being arrested during a traffic stop in the Clear Lake area town for an outstanding warrant, when he managed to escape officers, get back in his vehicle and hit 43-year-old Sgt. Kaila Sullivan.
In a bit of symbolism, Harris County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Mike Lee tweeted a picture of Henderson in handcuffs inside his holding cell.
#Update — Tuesday night when Sgt. Sullivan lost her life, Henderson fled the scene with one handcuff on his wrist. I bet he didn’t know Sgt. Sullivan had another set waiting on him…he’s currently at the @HCSOTexas jail & wearing HER handcuffs while on his way to court tonight! pic.twitter.com/Q8hQS6TfA4
— Major Mike Lee (@HCSOPatrol) December 13, 2019
“Tuesday night when Sgt. Sullivan lost her life, Henderson fled the scene with one handcuff on his wrist. I bet he didn’t know Sgt. Sullivan had another set waiting on him…he’s currently at the @HCSOTexas jail & wearing HER handcuffs while on his way to court tonight!” Lee tweeted.
Earlier Thursday, a fugitive task force arrested Henderson in southeast Houston.
When the bond amount was made public, law enforcement officers everywhere were astonished. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez was among those blasting the ridiculously low bond.
“A police Sgt dead, suspect on the run for couple days, my team and our law enforcement partners do a phenomenal job locating & taking him into custody without incident- I simply do not understand his initial bond set at $150,000,” said Sheriff Gonzales, whose Harris County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation since Sullivan’s death.
Smh in disbelief. A Police Sgt dead, suspect on the run for couple days, my team and our law enforcement partners do a phenomenal job locating & taking him into custody without incident- I simply do not understand his initial bond set at $150,000. #HouNews
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) December 13, 2019
I support reform on non-violent cases, but we must hold the line when it comes to violent crime. I know our current bail system in transition, but public safety/risk is important. We’ve seen examples where money alone does not make us safe, bc if someone can pay they can get out.
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) December 13, 2019
“Outrageous! This coward who took the life of a hero & poses a clear & present danger to community & the people we serve. This story is incomplete, what court is this? Bail decisions need to be made on the basis of risk to public safety & of flight,” tweeted Houston police Chief Art Acevedo.
Moreover, another part of the story unfolded during a news conference Thursday. Hours after Henderson’s arrest in southeast Houston, authorities said the 21-year-old suspect’s mother, Tiffany Henderson, is also being charged with hindering apprehension of a fugitive. She is accused of hiding Tavores since Sgt. Sullivan was killed Tuesday night.
The woman’s fiancee, Jeffery Wheeler, is also facing charges for his alleged role in helping Tavores’ flight from justice
The charges were revealed just hours after Henderson provided an exclusive interview with ABC13, in which she claimed her son is “not a murderer.” However, family, friends and colleagues of Sgt. Kaila Sullivan would disagree.
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UPDATE: Henderson’s bond was revoked when the charge was upgraded to capital murder, reported CBS Austin.
