PHOENIX — Bonds have been reduced for three of the suspects accused of being involved in the murder of 16-year-old Preston Lord in Queen Creek.
During a court hearing on Tuesday, a judge reduced the appearance bonds for Jacob Meisner, Dominic Turner and Talan Renner. If they were to bail out of custody, the defendants would be under house arrest, surrender their passports, be subjected to random drug testing and have to stay off social media.
Lawyers for the three claimed their clients were not flight risks or dangers to the community.
Turner's secured bond was set at $250,000, Meisner's was set at $350,000, and Renner's was set at $500,000. It's not clear how soon the suspects could post bond.
At the time of their arrests earlier this year, all the suspects were being held on $1 million secured appearance bonds.
Lord's family lobbied against the bond reduction.
"These individuals are a threat to society," Lord's grandfather, Tony Reich told the court. "They have not and will most likely never take accountability for what they are accused of."
Speaking after the hearing, Reich said he was disappointed by the judge's decision.
"It's a little disheartening, to say the least," he said.
The three defendants are facing criminal charges alongside Treston Billey, Taylor Sherman, William Hines and Talyn Vigil for the 2023 death of the Combs High School student.
Other defendants have had their bonds reduced or and been released from custody.