Accused killer released on unsecured bond back in Durham jail

Five accused killers have been released from jail in recent weeks by one Durham judge, and one of them is now back in jail, accused of breaking into a home and possessing a firearm.

Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson set unsecured bonds for Christopher Allen, Elijah Everett, Nyreese Cole, Christopher Wiggins and Ledarius Samuel in a two-week span in late January.

Allen and Cole had been held without bond, while Wiggins was in jail under a $1 million bond, Samuel had a $750,000 bond and Everett was held under a $350,000 bond.

Unsecured bond meant none of the men or their families had to put up any property or cash to back up their bonds, and they were essentially freed on a promise to return to court.

"I believe that the lack of evidence against him and the existence of alibi evidence are what led Judge Hudson to unsecure Mr. Samuel's bond on the murder case," defense attorney Allyn Sharp said.

Samuel was arrested in January 2017 in the shooting death of a 42-year-old man on South Roxboro Street.

Deputies say, after Samuel was released, he broke into a home in Chapel Hill in February. The 19-year-old was arrested March 7 and was charged with breaking and entering, possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a concealed gun.

"I find the circumstances of Mr. Samuel's recent arrest very suspicious and concerning," Sharp said.

Neither Hudson nor Durham County District Attorney Roger Echols responded to requests for comment.

WRAL News spoke with Samuel in the Durham County jail on Tuesday. He maintained he is innocent of all charges and said he is patient about being back in jail, noting he has faith in the justice system.