Her budget speech may have been focused on fiscal issues like education funding and spending cuts, but it was Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s comments on bail reform that’s created the most conversation — and backlash.
Ayotte used part of her speech Thursday to decry a stabbing in downtown Manchester in which the suspect had been released on personal recognizance.
“What happened in Manchester last Friday night is completely unbelievable, when an individual accused of repeatedly stabbing a complete stranger, and who has a prior conviction for domestic violence, is allowed to walk free by a magistrate. I cannot emphasize this enough,” Ayotte told the state legislators listening to her speech in the House chamber. “Send me legislation to fix this once and for all.”
A few hours later, those same House members debated a proposal to consider impeaching Magistrate Stephanie Johnson, who allowed suspect Kyle Bisson, 26, to go free. Rep. Buzz Scherr (D-Portsmouth) spoke on the floor in defense of both the suspect and the decision.
Scherr described the incident surrounding the stabbing as a “tussle” and claimed both Bisson and his alleged victim could be seen as at fault. According to Scherr, the victim also had a knife and struck first in the fracas, leaving Bisson to defend himself as best he could.
“This is not the horror that people that we know made it to be. This is a simple fight between two people instigated by the alleged victim,” Scherr said.
Scherr is an outspoken supporter of “decarceration” efforts, with the goal of keeping people out of jail if possible. In a recent op-ed, Scherr dismissed stories of violent offenders who reoffended after being released rather than held on bail as mere “seductive anecdotes.”
However, the Manchester Police report filed in court conflicts with Scherr’s version of the stabbing. According to police, the victim, who was not armed, was stabbed between nine and 13 times by Bisson. While the victim tried to run away, Bisson is seen on surveillance video chasing the man, brandishing his knife, according to the report.
Bison did end up with a stab wound to his chest, likely the result of an accidental self-stabbing, he told police.
While the alleged victim did claim to have a knife, and did swing first after a verbal altercation with Bisson, he told police he did both actions to scare off the armed Bisson. Bisson is seen on video taking out his knife, dropping it in the snow, and picking it up again in order to stab the victim, according to the report.
After the assault, Bisson walked off, throwing away the knife and his jacket, according to the report. He told police he did not want to be seen and deal with the police inquiry.
Ayotte and other New Hampshire Republicans were stunned by the response from some defenders of the current bail law to this incident. During a WMUR interview that aired Sunday, Ayotte said it’s time for legislators opposed to reversing the failed bail reform effort to stop blaming victims and police.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Ayotte said of Scherr’s comments. “That is part of the problem. They’re trying to protect their own bad votes.”
“Why are you trying to defend people who committed harm?” Ayotte added.
Mayor Jay Ruais was also outraged by Bisson’s release and the response, saying the assault is a perfect illustration of the current bail law’s failure.
“On what planet is it considered acceptable to stab another human being at least 9 times, then be released back out onto our streets? This is unconscionable. Our police, our residents, and our visitors are put at risk when criminals like this continue to be released, and it has to stop,” Ruais said.
