Bail bond companies answer questions about the release of the accused murderer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Two Nashville bail bonds companies are in hot water after allegedly allowing a man to cross the border of a state where he is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend.

Six judges are now inviting the bail bond companies to a hearing on Thursday morning.

Lauren Johansen was killed in Mississippi. Her suspected killer, Bricen Rivers, was jailed months earlier after the two were involved in a brutal altercation in Nashville. He was released from prison a few weeks ago.

Brooke's Bail Bonding and On Time Bail Bonding signed Rivers' court order stating that he must stay in Davidson County, obtain an ankle monitor from a specific company, and not go near Lauren Johansen.

None of this happened, and after a series of missteps, Rivers was allowed to return to Mississippi, where he is accused of Johansen's murder.

Now judges in Nashville are ordering both bail bonds companies to appear on Thursday and explain why they did not comply with the court order.

“I hope they want to find out, first, how this happened. And second, how we can make sure this doesn't happen again in the future, other than simply not paying bail,” said criminal law professor Jeffrey Rush.

WSMV4 contacted Brooke's Bail Bonding and they sent a statement.

“There has been a lot of misinformation and outright lies spread and I look forward to setting things straight because everyone has a right to know the truth.”

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