Murder victim's relative on new minimum bail requirement: 'We're very happy that this motion passed'

A new rule approved by the Harris County Bail Bond Board last Wednesday (April 13) increases the minimum bail requirement for violent felonies from 2% to 10%, according to reports from Houston-based media outlets.

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that the vote occurred after the board initially junked the same proposal because of the uncertainty surrounding members' legal authority to approve the measure.

Among the attendees at the meeting were the relatives of a teen girl who was fatally shot more than 20 times earlier this year, per KTRK.

Diamond Alvarez died after her boyfriend, Frank DeLeon Jr., allegedly opened fire multiple times.

A judge granted the suspect a $250,000 bond to get out of jail much to the disappointment and chagrin of the girl's family.

Bianca Mejia, Diamond's aunt, is pleased with the new rule.

"We're very happy that this motion passed (Wednesday)," Mejia told KTRK. "It's been hectic since January, all the way to (Wednesday). Diamond (Alvarez), mama, we're going to get there. Justice for DJ, Justice for Ashanti, Justice for Arlene Alvarez, Justice for everybody in Houston."

According to Houston NBC affiliate KPRC, the vote for the 10% minimum bail requirement was 6-3-2. 

Attorney Troy McKinney and Mario Garza, the president of the bail bondsmen association, cast the dissenting votes, the station reported.

The pair supported a failed proposal to set the minimum at 100%, with Garza telling KPRC that the approved rule would be futile.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who sits on the board, were pleased with the vote.

"I'm grateful to the advocates, victim families especially, who pushed for this reform, including many elected officials," Turner said in a statement issued by his office.

Hidalgo said this is one step of many to tackle the gun violence epidemic.

"I’m heartened a majority of Bail Bond Board members joined me in voting for a 10% bond requirement to end 'cheap bail' for serious crimes," Hidalgo said on Twitter. "Grateful to so many families of victims who pushed for this."