Minton released on bond

A Chapel Hill man who investigators say helped his son and friends cover up the shooting death of Joshua Bailey is out on bail.

Gregory Lee Minton, 41, left jail Monday after a judge reduced his bond from $1 million to $100,000.

Investigators say he provided his son, Brian Minton, with a U-Haul truck to transport the body to the site in Chatham County where police found it Sept. 12.

At Monday’s hearing, Gregory Minton’s attorney, John Fitzpatrick, argued the $1 million bond was higher than court guidelines recommend. As Minton’s wife and son are in jail, he’s not likely to flee the area, Fitzpatrick said.

But District Attorney Jim Woodall said that by attempting to help the suspects get away with murder, Minton demonstrated a pattern of irresponsibility.

“I think that demonstrates he would do whatever he needs to protect his son, and I believe that endangers the community,” Woodall said.

Bailey, 20, was shot to death on July 29 after six of his friends kidnapped him, according to search warrants.

They have been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in the case.

Bailey’s friend from middle school, John Holt, wore a “Justice For Josh” shirt and skipped class Monday to attend the hearing along with Bailey’s family. He wasn’t pleased with the court’s decision.

“When you’re involved in something like this, there’s no reason why you should be walking the streets and going to the grocery store like everybody else,” he said.

Minton’s wife, Mishele Slade Minton, 37, is also charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Russ Hollers, her lawyer, said her bond is likely to also be lowered at a Wednesday hearing.

“That’s what I’m hoping,” Hollers said after the hearing.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Carl Fox ordered that Gregory Minton’s curfew requires him to be in his house from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. He will not be allowed to communicate with other defendants or visit scenes of the crime unless accompanied by his attorney.

Gregory Minton paid $15,000 in cash and left the Orange County Jail in Hillsborough at about 12:30 p.m.

Fitzpatrick argued Monday that Minton needed to return to manage business affairs with the BP station in Glen Lennox on Raleigh Road.

Since Minton landed in jail, the property owners handed the business off to a new owner — which attorneys did not mention in court Monday.

“The people that own the building had no idea when or if he was getting out,” said new owner Sharif Rahimtoola. “He can’t come back here.”



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