AUSTIN (KXAN) — Stephon Morson, now 19, was originally in jail on an $800,000 bond. Police arrested him in October for the murder of 20-year-old Keshawn Cage.

This month, a judge reduced that bond to $100. According to online jail and court records, Morson paid that bond, and is no longer in custody.

So, how did this happen?

“Usually, you’re not seeing murder bonds reduced to 100 dollars unless a there’s a very good self defense argument, or you do have a missed indictment deadline,” said defense attorney Ben Gergen. He is not connected to this case.

Court documents show Gergen’s latter point prompted the $799,900 bond reduction. The deadline to secure an indictment is within 90 days of the arrest, and records show an indictment for Morson was secured on day 91.

affiliate KXAN began asking the District Attorney’s Office about this bond reduction Tuesday morning. Just before 5 p.m., the office sent out a press release saying prosecutors plan to request a bond increase during a hearing on Wednesday.

According to documents filed by Morson’s attorney Brian Erskine, “judges do not have discretion in reducing bail” and “bail must be reduced to something the defendant can afford.”

The conditions of Morson’s bond include the following:

• House arrest
• No travel outside of Travis County
• No social media access
• GPS monitor
• No contact with the decedent’s family or witnesses

This homicide occurred on Burton Drive during a violent stretch for the small southeast Austin street, when four people were killed on Burton within one week.

Murder suspect Juan Ramirez also released after bond reduction

Police arrested Juan Ramirez for murder in May for an offense that happened in 2022. He’s accused of killing Manuel De Jesus Castro Rosales in the St. John’s neighborhood.

According to his court records, in December of last year, his bond was reduced from $1 million to $1, for the same reason Morson’s was: a missed 90-day indictment deadline.

Ramirez’ next hearing is set for March 18. KXAN has asked the District Attorney’s Office if the State plans to ask for an increase to Ramirez’ bond during that hearing, and will update this story when we receive a response.

Ramirez and Morson have the same attorney.

‘Shocks the family,’ victims’ advocate explains impact for loved ones

Cathy Collins is a victims’ advocate for the Christi Center, an organization that provides free grief support in the Austin and Georgetown areas. Part of our interview with her is below.

“I’ve worked with many families who have had a bond reduction. When that happens, number one it shocks the family because it puts a value on their [loved one’s] life,” she said. “It’s a reflection of ‘I guess they didn’t amount to anything if the bond was reduced. Why would you reduce the bond for this person?'”

Collins said part of her role at the Christi Center involves helping people navigate the criminal justice system, which can include attending bond hearings to get a better understanding of these processes on a case-by-case basis.

KXAN will attend Morson’s hearing on Wednesday morning to follow up on this story.