Pretrial Release Termination

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: United States of America v. Vincent Storme

Case No.: 23-2615

Officials: Brennan, Scudder, St. Eve Circuit Judges.

Focus: Pretrial Release Termination

Storme faced charges related to cyberstalking and unauthorized intrusion into a cell phone. He was initially granted release on bond under the supervision of his mother, subject to specific conditions. Tragically, Storme attempted suicide immediately after his release. Several months later, Pretrial Services reported that he had repeatedly violated his curfew, been arrested for allegedly stalking another woman, and was grappling with alcohol abuse and expressing suicidal thoughts. Despite these concerning developments, the court did not revoke his release, even as Storme’s mother relocated to Virginia, leaving no appointed custodian.

Subsequently, the court received a report from Storme’s therapist, expressing serious concern that Storme might take his own life if he believed the court would deny his motion to dismiss. During this time, Storme also engaged in the transfer of assets to his mother and appeared in court multiple times to observe unrelated proceedings before his assigned judge.

The district court held arguments and, without prior notice, revoked Storme’s pretrial release, ordering his detention without providing supporting findings. In response, Storme displayed extreme distress, even resorting to self-harm, and urged law enforcement officers to end his life. While in a holding cell, he made a suicide attempt by trying to hang himself. Following a review by the Seventh Circuit, the government subsequently filed a motion to revoke Storme’s release.

The district court granted this motion, citing probable cause to believe that Storme had committed crimes and violated his release conditions while out on bail. The Seventh Circuit rules that the court reached the appropriate conclusion given the ongoing threat to the community, despite certain procedural irregularities under the Bail Reform Act (18 U.S.C. 3142(d)).

Affirmed.

Decided 10/17/23

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