Judge Sends Homicide Suspect Home to His Mother

Victim's family upset with decision

The family of a homicide victim is upset with a Prince George's County judge who released a suspect on personal recognizance to his mother.

Sean Sykes, 18, was charged with second-degree murder and ordered held on $1.5 million bond. He and an accomplice were accused of stabbing 24-year-old Rene Belasco and threatening to kill a witness who saw them dragging Belasco out of a building in Oxon Hill.

Last week during a bond review hearing, District Court Judge Hassan A. El-Amin released Sykes to the custody of his mother.

"I honestly can't recall a scenario where a first-degree murder suspect or second-degree suspect was released on personal recognizance to his mother," State's Attorney Glenn Ivey said.

El-Amin protested the state's judicial system, saying most defendants, like Sykes, appear at their bond hearing without lawyers, the Washington Post reported.

Prosecutors are challenging El-Amin's decision and trying to get Sykes back behind bars.

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