Soft-On-Crime Bail Allows Felon to Strike

By
Mark Stevens
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A Charlotte man accused of murder was back behind bars less than two hours after walking out of jail, a sequence of events that is raising renewed questions about how repeat violent offenders continue to cycle through the criminal justice system.

According to Mecklenburg County records, David Simpson was released from jail at 12:21 a.m. Wednesday after posting bond on a charge of failing to appear in court. That charge stemmed from an earlier case in which he was accused of possessing a weapon while incarcerated.

Just 84 minutes later, police say violence erupted outside the apartment complex where Simpson lived.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 1:45 a.m. One man was killed and another was wounded. Investigators later arrested Simpson in connection with the incident.


He now faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to WBTV.

The timeline has drawn criticism from legal observers and public safety advocates who question why someone with Simpson’s criminal history was free in the first place.

“If you look at his history, it seems like this gentleman has picked up just about every year up to this point some kind of a violent crime,” defense attorney Tim Cannady, who is not involved in the case, told WCNC. “So you kind of have to ask the question: Why wasn’t he already in jail?”


Former Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari echoed that frustration.

“We know what these top 1 percent of repeat offenders are going to do, and for some reason, we just don’t have the appetite to take action,” Bokhari said.

“It feels like ‘Groundhog Day,’ to be quite honest.”

According to court records, Simpson has spent years moving in and out of the criminal justice system.

His criminal history dates back to 2013, when he was charged with first-degree murder in connection with a fatal shooting. Rather than stand trial on that charge, Simpson accepted a plea agreement and ultimately served approximately five years in prison before being released.

Since then, his record has continued to grow. WSOC-TV reported that Simpson accumulated at least 10 additional notable arrests after leaving prison.


Police say Wednesday’s shooting began with an argument over a parking space at the apartment complex. According to WCNC, officers had already been called to the property twice earlier that evening before gunfire broke out.

Investigators say surveillance video captured key moments leading up to the shooting. According to police, the footage shows the victim arriving at the complex before Simpson entered an apartment building and returned carrying what appeared to be a black bag containing a heavy object. Moments later, shots were fired. Police allege the video then shows Simpson returning inside with the same bag.

Authorities also arrested Simpson’s girlfriend, Shameka Scott.

According to WBTV, Scott is charged with accessory after the fact after investigators alleged she helped Simpson flee following the shooting. She was released after posting a $30,000 bond.

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