Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget speech focused on fiscal issues such as education funding and spending cuts, but it was her comments on bail reform that generated the most conversation. Ayotte expressed outrage over a stabbing in Manchester in which the suspect, Kyle Bisson, had been released on personal recognizance. This led to a debate in the House about impeaching Magistrate Stephanie Johnson for allowing Bisson to go free.
However, Representative Buzz Scherr defended Bisson and the decision, describing the incident as a simple fight where both parties were at fault. Scherr is a proponent of “decarceration” efforts aimed at keeping people out of jail when possible. Despite his claims, the Manchester Police report conflicts with Scherr’s version of events, showing Bisson as the aggressor in the stabbing.
Governor Ayotte and other Republicans criticized defenders of the current bail law, urging them to stop blaming victims and police. Ayotte expressed disbelief at Scherr’s comments and called on legislators to reverse the failed bail reform effort. Mayor Jay Ruais also condemned Bisson’s release, stating that it exemplified the failure of the current bail law.
The story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair and unbiased reporting on political news in New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.
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