An Adams County District Court judge on Tuesday refused to lower the $5 million bail for an Aurora community activist accused of killing a man in retaliation for his son’s death.
Judge Jeffrey Ruff expressed concern about the groundswell of community support for the defendant, Lumumba Sayers Sr., 46, who is charged with first-degree murder and endangerment in the Aug. 10 death of 28-year-old Malcolm Watson.
The judge noted that a contingent of Sayers’ supporters previously clapped and cheered as the handcuffed man entered the courtroom and that an earlier hearing had turned into a “completely out-of-control circus” due to conflict and emotions between the victim’s family and Sayers . ‘supporters.
“That is exactly the community that you are suggesting are the ones that will hold him accountable and keep him in line (if he is released),” Ruff told Sayers’ attorney. “That is a concern.”
Sayers’ attorney, Megan Downing, had argued that his cash-only bail should be reduced from $5 million to no more than $500,000, citing his deep ties to the community and his lack of prior criminal record. history. She also said his health deteriorated in prison — he has lost 50 pounds since his arrest — and that he was not safe behind bars. He was attacked in prison in October and was hospitalized with serious facial injuries, she said.
Prosecutor Laura Anderson argued Sayers would pose a danger to the community if released, saying he admitted to shooting Watson during a recorded altercation.
“This was a planned murder of an innocent person,” she said.
Investigators believe Sayers killed Watson on Aug. 10 at Watson’s son’s birthday party in a Commerce City park. Two witnesses told police they saw Sayers walk up to Watson and shoot him several times. Another witness recorded Sayers trying to place a gun under Watson’s body after the killing, according to a police affidavit.
Police allege the killing was in retaliation for the death of Sayers’ son. Lumumba Sayers Jr., 23, was murdered in August 2023. No one was convicted of murder in that case, but the suspected shooter was a friend of Watson, according to the affidavit.
Sayers Jr. was an advocate against violence and, with his father, operated the Heavy Hands Heavy Hearts Center, a gym in Aurora that the elder Sayers said was dedicated to preventing gun violence.
Ruff also cited the recent passage of Amendment I — which restores the ability for judges to hold people without bail when charged with first-degree murder — as he ruled Tuesday.
“The voters have also expressed their opinion, they are telling us that they do not want these cases to be bailed,” he said. “How does that affect this? We can have a debate about that. But…the whole community – the state – says, ‘We don’t really feel safe with people accused of these crimes walking among us.’
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