Don Lemon, the news anchor-turned-activist, has been released from custody without bail or any travel restrictions following his arrest for allegedly joining a mob that terrorized members of a Minnesota church congregation.
As he appeared in court on Friday afternoon sporting the same outfit from the previous night's pre-Grammys bash, Lemon was met with a mixture of confusion and incredulity. Prosecutors had claimed that the TV personality knowingly joined a group to intimidate churchgoers, but his defense attorney, Marilyn E. Bednarski, painted a vastly different picture.
"She said he was 'not a flight risk' and 'not a danger of any kind'," reports indicate. "She called him 'one of the most well-known figures in the world.'" In essence, Bednarski attempted to humanize Lemon, positioning him as an innocent bystander rather than a perpetrator.
The judge ultimately sided with Bednarski's assertions, releasing Lemon on his own recognizance without any pretrial supervision or travel restrictions. This decision seems particularly surprising given the severity of the allegations against him.
It is worth noting that prosecutors had requested a $100,000 bond and sought to restrict Lemon's contact with witnesses, victims, and co-conspirators. However, Bednarski successfully challenged these requests, citing the need for leniency in light of Lemon's extensive experience as a journalist and his contributions to social justice causes.
During a brief appearance outside the courthouse, Lemon took the opportunity to express solidarity with his colleagues and emphasize the importance of covering news stories without fear or retribution. When asked about his involvement in the alleged incident, he defiantly declared that "covering the news" was a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment, which he intends to exercise throughout his life.
As for the next steps, Lemon's defense team has scheduled a hearing for February 9 at the District Court of Minnesota, where they will face off against prosecutors once again. For now, the embattled TV personality is free to continue his work and advocacy efforts without any hindrances.
As he appeared in court on Friday afternoon sporting the same outfit from the previous night's pre-Grammys bash, Lemon was met with a mixture of confusion and incredulity. Prosecutors had claimed that the TV personality knowingly joined a group to intimidate churchgoers, but his defense attorney, Marilyn E. Bednarski, painted a vastly different picture.
"She said he was 'not a flight risk' and 'not a danger of any kind'," reports indicate. "She called him 'one of the most well-known figures in the world.'" In essence, Bednarski attempted to humanize Lemon, positioning him as an innocent bystander rather than a perpetrator.
The judge ultimately sided with Bednarski's assertions, releasing Lemon on his own recognizance without any pretrial supervision or travel restrictions. This decision seems particularly surprising given the severity of the allegations against him.
It is worth noting that prosecutors had requested a $100,000 bond and sought to restrict Lemon's contact with witnesses, victims, and co-conspirators. However, Bednarski successfully challenged these requests, citing the need for leniency in light of Lemon's extensive experience as a journalist and his contributions to social justice causes.
During a brief appearance outside the courthouse, Lemon took the opportunity to express solidarity with his colleagues and emphasize the importance of covering news stories without fear or retribution. When asked about his involvement in the alleged incident, he defiantly declared that "covering the news" was a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment, which he intends to exercise throughout his life.
As for the next steps, Lemon's defense team has scheduled a hearing for February 9 at the District Court of Minnesota, where they will face off against prosecutors once again. For now, the embattled TV personality is free to continue his work and advocacy efforts without any hindrances.