A woman is afraid after the man she said beat and raped her was released from the East Point jail due to a scheduling error, authorities told Channel 2 Action News.
Quinton Gray of Atlanta was arrested about 1 a.m. last Wednesday, meaning he had to make his first appearance in court by 1 a.m. Saturday — within 72 hours, according to county law.
Instead, his first court appearance was scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, meaning he had to be allowed signature bond by law, Fulton County Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk told Channel 2.
“Mr. Gray should have appeared before a Fulton County magistrate (judge) within 72 hours. He did not,” she said. “Our only recourse in fact was to give him a signature bond ... the law requires it.”
Gray’s alleged rape victim told Channel 2 she’s in hiding after finding out he was released Monday on a $100,000 bond. AJC.com does not identify alleged victims of sex-related crimes.
“It’s devastating, and it’s scary because I have to walk around looking over my back,” she said. “I feel like he stole more than just my body from me.”
When Gray was released, he told the news station he was innocent.
Police said they’re seeking an indictment against Gray, which would provide a legal basis for officers to rearrest him before his next scheduled court date of Sept. 20, the news station reported.
He faces a count of rape, fleeing police and four counts of obstruction, jail records show. He was arrested after allegedly leading East Point police on a chase.
Kirk told Channel 2 that if Gray had been taken to the Fulton County jail within the required time frame “his case would have proceeded very differently, (and) he would remain in jail.” She added that she’s reached out to other police chiefs across the county to make sure cases like this don’t happen again.
East Point police told the news station it is taking ownership of the mistake and has already made changes, Channel 2 reported. The specific changes were not released.
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