Police, mayor criticize Halloween homicide suspects’ release without bail

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo called the release of two homicide suspects without bail “outrageous,” in a statement released late Tuesday night by his office.

In a statement issued by email at 9:49 p.m. Liccardo said 

“I appreciate the purpose of bail reform, but releasing a homicide suspect without bail is outrageous. The pendulum has swung too far, and it’s our neighborhoods that endure the most crime that suffer as a result.”

Liccardo’s statement came after San Jose Police Department announced the suspects’ release in two condemning Twitter posts around 8:30 p.m.  

The 26- and 27-year-old male suspects were arrested in the hours after an investigation of a shooting Oct. 31 in the 5200 block of Great Oaks Drive, where officers arrived and found a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a hospital where he later died, according to police.

One man was booked into county jail on suspicion of homicide, while the other was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and being an accessory to homicide, police said. Both men are San Jose residents.

The first of two Police Department tweets included suspect booking photos and the following message:

“Our homicide detectives do an exceptional job. Suspects Anzures and Castillo were arrested for homicide 29. The DA filed charges on both. They are no longer in jail. The criminal justice system believes they are fine out of custody without bail.”

Seconds later, a second tweet added:

“Yes you read that correctly, two homicide suspects, charged, out of custody. Our community deserves better, the victim’s family deserve better. The taking of someone’s life is the ultimate crime. The system has failed.”

This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.