Djovani Jean-Pierre, the 16-year-old Albertville High School student accused of bringing a loaded gun to school, has been denied bond by Marshall County District Court Judge Mitch Floyd.
An Aniah's Law hearing was held on September 27 to determine whether Jean-Pierre would be granted bond based on his history and the severity of the charges, including first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, minor in possession of a weapon and resisting arrest. The theft and possession charges are both felonies that carry up to 10 years to life in prison if convicted.
Aniah's Law was passed in November 2022 to give judges more authority to deny bail for certain charges after Aniah Blanchard was murdered in 2019 by a suspect who was out on bond for a separate kidnapping and murder case.
Defense attorney Richard Rice argued at the hearing that Jean-Pierre should be allowed bond given his age, his lack of criminal history and the weakness of the evidence backing up the charges, which he said was based on hearsay. He also argued that his client was being unfairly targeted due to his Haitian descent.
Jean-Pierre is a U.S. citizen born in Florida. Jean-Pierre's father, who came to America in 1996, said in court on September 27 that he works at Pilgrim's Pride in Guntersville and is not a U.S. citizen. Jean-Pierre's mother is a travel nurse currently residing in Rhode Island. She also appeared in court and said she would be willing to stay with her son in Alabama if he were granted bond.
Marshall County District Attorney Jennifer Bray said no one mentioned race, and it had nothing to do with the charges. She argued that Jean-Pierre should remain in custody pending a trial due to the seriousness of the charges and the potential threat he poses to the community. Judge Floyd agreed with Bray, saying during the hearing that "race has not been an issue and is not an issue of the court."
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Albertville Police chief detective Eric Farmer testified at the hearing how, based on witness interviews and investigations performed by other officers, Jean-Peirre allegedly stole a firearm from an acquaintance at a bonfire party in Arab on Monday, September 23, and later brought the weapon onto the Albertville High School campus loaded with up to 27 bullets. School resource officer Gilbert Lucero subdued Jean-Pierre after a struggle, during which the officer sustained minor injuries, and Jean-Pierre was tased twice.
Following Judge Floyd's ruling to deny bond, Bray said a preliminary hearing in Jean-Pierre's case is scheduled for November 6. He is being tried as an adult.
Rice did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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