12:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, HILLSBOROUGH — A man charged with accessory to murder after the fact in the shooting death of Joshua Bailey was released from jail today after his bail was reduced from $1 million to $100,000.
Gregory Lee Minton, 41, advised his son, Brian Minton, and five others to conceal the body with acid and provided them with a U-Haul truck from his business to transport the body to an alternate burial location, according to search warrants.
Judge Carl Fox said Minton will face a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and he will not be allowed to communicate with other defendants or visit any scenes of the crime unless accompanied by his attorney, John Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick argued that Minton’s initial bond was set higher than court guidelines recommend. Fitzpatrick also told the judge a bond’s purpose is to protect society, not to punish the accused and that as Minton’s wife and son are in jail, he’s not likely to flee the area.
But District Attorney Jim Woodall said that in attempting to help six 18 to 24-year-olds 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.
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
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