Jumoke Johnson smiles and laughs with a friend while heading for a student assembly at Brainerd High School.READ MORE
Three generations of men on a crooked path. And the youngest stares his future in the face.
An 18-year-old senior at Brainerd High School may get to walk in Saturday's graduation ceremonies after a Hamilton County judge drafted an order to have him released from jail and placed on house arrest.
Jumoke Johnson, Jr. was not given due process Friday during a bond hearing Friday in General Sessions Court, Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman wrote in the order. In Friday's hearing, Judge Christine Mahn Sell did not state a reason for doubling the teen's bond and having him taken to jail.
On Monday, Steelman - who already had placed Johnson on house arrest in relation to other charges - reduced the bond.
Hank Hill, a defense attorney representing Johnson on an aggravated assault case stemming from a jail brawl, filed a petition today to have the teen released on house arrest. Hill argued Johnson was being held unconstitutionally.
On Friday, Johnson had no attorney present.
He faces a variety of charges, ranging from assault to drug possession but has no convictions on his record.
Chattanooga police say he is documented as a member of the Rollin' 60s Crip gang. He has been connected to numerous shootings by police, but he has never been charged.
Johnson will be the first member of his family to graduate high school.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.