In Rockford, Illinois, Winnebago County’s chief judge has expressed strong disapproval over recent threats and harassment aimed at a colleague. This follows a decision by Judge Heidi Agustsson to allow a murder suspect pretrial release, prompting Chief Judge John Lowry to speak out against the inflammatory rhetoric that he believes compromises judicial safety and the court’s integrity.
Judge Lowry’s statement came on Tuesday in defense of Judge Agustsson, who faced hostility after her ruling permitted the pretrial release of 20-year-old murder suspect Varianna Parsons. Lowry pointed out that the situation intensified due to remarks from a public official who criticized the judge’s decision as “unacceptable” and “negligent,” despite not being present during the court proceedings.
“Over recent days, a judge from the 17th Judicial Circuit has been subjected to significant threats and harassment, which are currently being handled in cooperation with local law enforcement,” Lowry stated. “This escalation was a direct result of a public figure’s comments to the media, which inadvertently put the judge and her family at risk.”
Parsons, alongside 24-year-old Shawn Bunton Jr., faces charges of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 37-year-old Kyle Stephens. Stephens was found stabbed to death under the Whitman Street Bridge last Tuesday. Authorities are still searching for Bunton Jr., who remains at large.
Parsons was arrested on Tuesday and then released the following Wednesday, after a pretrial detention hearing presided over by Judge Augustsson.
According to Winnebago County States Attorney J. Hanley, “The court found that the legal standard for detention under the SAFE-T Act was not met and Parsons was released from custody.”
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara stated on Friday, following public outcry over the decision, saying, “Judge rulings such as this are, at best, disheartening and, at worst, negligent. This decision does not make our community safer. Our officers worked tirelessly and performed exceptional work to apprehend a murder suspect only for that suspect to be released by a judge from the comfort of a courtroom. That is simply unacceptable.”
“The public official’s comment implied that the judge did not follow her oath of judicial office. Such statements crossed the line from expressing disagreement with a ruling to an attack on her judicial competence and integrity,” Lowry added.
“The current political climate includes all-time high threats, harassment, and violence against judges. Inflammatory rhetoric toward judges is a contributing factor. Fair criticism of a judge’s ruling should focus on the evidence presented in court and the applicable law. Motions to reconsider and the appellate process are the appropriate avenues to address disagreement. Judges should be allowed to make impartial decisions free from outside influence in order to preserve judicial independence- a cornerstone of our democracy,” he continued.
On Tuesday, October 14th, Hanley filed a “motion for relief (akin to a motion to reconsider) in which we will argue that the judge’s decision to release Parsons was in error and that Parsons should be held in jail while she awaits trial,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Rockford Illinois Police Officers Association offered its support for the mayor, saying, “We support Mayor Tom McNamara’s comments regarding the pretrial release of Varianna Parsons, who is charged with First Degree Murder. [Rockford Police] officers work diligently to keep the community safe day in and day out. We do our part, the courts need to do the rest. Accountability comes on all levels.”
Parsons is due to appear for her next court hearing on November 13th.
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