CINCINNATI -- A murder suspect walked out of court Tuesday in even bigger trouble than when he walked in.
Thirty-one-year-old Verland Jones, arrested Monday and charged with murder in the death of a man earlier this month, was not pleased when the judge assigned him a $1 million bond.
"That's bulls*it, man. High-a** bond for nothing?" Jones complained to the judge, turning away from the podium.
When Jones continued to protest, the judge held him in contempt and ordered him held for 30 days. He's due before a grand jury on July 6.
Jones stands accused of murder in the death of 37-year-old Thomas Grassman, according to a news release. Police found Grassman suffering a gunshot wound early June 4 near the intersection of East McMillan and Vine streets in Mount Auburn. He died from his injuries at University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
The attorney for the prosecution Tuesday said Jones was performing as a rapper in a bar the night of the alleged murder. The prosecution said Jones got into an argument, retrieved a gun from his car and shot Grassman multiple times.
"His prior criminal history includes a felonious assault in 2005 for which he served a four-year prison term. He's had multiple violent dismissals such as intimidation of a witness, domestic violence, felonious assault," the attorney said.
Most recently, he was convicted of trafficking heroin, all of which played into the judge's decision for a high bond. Jones' attorney pleaded for a lower bond, pointing out that he's a father of four with another child on the way and that he's a business owner with ties to the community.
