A friend of the gunman who killed nine people in Dayton’s Oregon District August 4 appeared in federal court Wednesday on weapons charges.
The hearing was called to determine whether 24-year-old Ethan Kollie should be released from jail while awaiting trial.
He’s charged with lying about his drug use in order to acquire firearms. The FBI also alleges that he provided body armor and weapons accessories used in the attack.
Although both sides initially pushed for home detention, Magistrate Judge Michael Newman was reluctant, citing what he called serious mental health concerns.
Kollie’s defense attorney, Nick Gounaris, disagreed.
“I've had the benefit to be around him and talked to family members. I think the judge is being cautious but we don't have that concern.”
Judge Newman said Kollie’s proposed release address, near the West Virginia border, raised red flags. He said the distance would make monitoring the defendant more difficult.
The judge called for a new hearing on Thursday, to give officials more time to vet a Montgomery County address where Kollie would await trial if released.
