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Nonprofit Paid $500 Toward Bail Days Before Suspect Was Charged in Cleveland Transit Killing

The case has prompted Cleveland officials to seek a review of bail practices, including nonprofit bail funds.

Overview

  • Court records show The Bail Project paid $500 on Dec. 9 to bond out Donnie Allen after his bail in a Dec. 4 case was reduced from $15,000 to $5,000.
  • Allen, 25, was arrested Dec. 14 and charged with aggravated murder in the shooting death of 27-year-old Benjamin McComas at the Puritas–West 150th Street light rail station; he was arraigned on a $1 million bond.
  • Prosecutors also charged Allen with aggravated robbery, felonious assault, and having weapons under disability in the Dec. 14 case.
  • Allen has a recent history of convictions and guilty pleas, including burglary-related offenses and 2024 charges such as attempted burglary and assault on a peace officer.
  • Relatives told Fox News Digital they warned the nonprofit against posting bail, while The Bail Project said some family members supported the release and reiterated its mission opposing detention based solely on inability to pay.