Judge denies bond reduction for Ronald Allen, orders partial GPS and behavioral health referral

Judge Stephanie Boyd denied a defense motion to reduce the $100,000 bond for Ronald Allen, ruling that partial GPS monitoring and a behavioral-health referral would better address public-safety and supervision concerns.

The defense argued the bond was “financially oppressive” and cited Article 17.15 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and constitutional protections against excessive bail, saying Allen’s family ties and his mother’s testimony showed he posed a low flight risk and that GPS monitoring and counseling could protect the community. Defense counsel said Allen’s mother, Evelyn Allen, had “limited means” and would personally supervise him if released.

The judge said she had reviewed the police reports and protective-order history and that public-safety concerns and the underlying police documentation required cautious conditions. “I’m gonna deny the motion to reduce bond,” Judge Boyd said, and ordered partial GPS for employment only, with GPS fees waived, and a referral to the Center for Healthcare Services for assessment. The court also directed the parties to set hearings on the defense’s pending motions to suppress and to dismiss and asked counsel to agree on dates.

The state urged the court to maintain the current bond, citing the defendant’s prior arrests and the details in the prosecution guide; defense counsel emphasized the family circumstances, including the recent death of Allen’s father and the family’s limited financial resources. The court permitted witnesses to appear by Zoom for the upcoming hearings and set a scheduling checkpoint with the court clerk.

Ending: The court denied the bond reduction but provided a middle path—employment-only GPS, waived fees and a behavioral-health referral—while keeping the underlying criminal case moving toward evidentiary hearings. The calendar call for related hearings was to be set with court staff.