In Ohio, a frequent offender is facing accusations of committing murder shortly after a nonprofit organization facilitated his release from jail by paying his bail.

Donnie Allen is alleged to have fatally shot 27-year-old Benjamin McComas at a Cleveland light rail station around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 14, as reported by Fox 8. Following the incident, Allen was charged with aggravated murder and appeared in court, where he was assigned a $1 million bond.

Fox News Digital accessed court documents revealing that Allen had previously been charged with various offenses, including drug possession, breaking and entering, vandalism, obstructing official business, and possessing criminal tools. These charges pertain to a separate event at a Cleveland light rail station on December 4.

Initially, Allen’s bond was set at $15,000 but was subsequently reduced to $5,000 by Judge Joy Kennedy on December 8. According to court records, The Bail Project, a nonprofit organization, stepped in to cover the cost of Allen’s bond, enabling his release. On December 9, The Bail Project paid $500 to secure Allen’s release from the Cuyahoga County Jail.

Donnie Allen has been charged with the murder of Benjamin McComas. (Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office)

Allen was arrested for the alleged murder of McComas just five days after being released from jail.

The murder suspect is a repeat offender who has previously either pleaded guilty or was convicted of the following crimes:

– 2024: Two counts of attempted burglary, assault on a peace officer, obstructing official business, resisting arrest and drug possession

– 2022: Burglary

– 2021: Burglary

– 2019: Two counts of burglary and one count of criminal damaging

Allen’s attorney, James Jenkins, told Fox News Digital that the Dec. 14 alleged murder was “far from” an intentional homicide.

Judge Joy Kennedy set Allen’s initial bond. (Cuyahoga County Courts)

In response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for The Bail Project told Fox News Digital: “The Bail Project condemns violence and we are deeply concerned by the recent allegation involving Mr. Allen.”

“Our mission at The Bail Project is to ensure that people are not jailed pretrial solely because they cannot afford bail. Our organization exists to address inequities in a system where wealth often determines who remains incarcerated before trial,” the group said. “Any loss of life is a tragedy, and we remain committed to building a fairer, more just pretrial system that respects due process, promotes safety, and avoids a misguided reliance on cash bail.”

The Bail Project didn’t respond to a follow-up question asking if the organization considered Allen’s previous arrests and convictions before fronting the money for him to be released.

Police said the alleged murder happened at a Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority station. (Google Maps)

In written answers to a questionnaire by The Marshall Project in 2024, Kennedy said she felt bail reform was necessary.

“Bail reform is necessary to address issues of inequities within the criminal justice system. I believe this is an ever-evolving matter that must constantly be addressed to promote equal access to justice and prevent unnecessary pretrial detention,” she said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Cuyahoga County Court for comment.