Confessed killer released from Tennessee jail on $3000 bail
12/08/2020 10:28 am PST
By Dennis Ferrier, WZTV
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) -- A man who confessed to murdering and mutilating an acquaintance got out of jail for just $3,000.
Wesley Leverett confessed to murdering Barry Cole, but when his bail dropped from $1 million to $30,000, he got out of jail for $3,000.
One night in February 2017, Cole, 55, was watching television with Wesley Leverett. According to Leverett's own confession, Cole had made a comment about Leverett's mother. This set off the 29-year-old who confessed to stabbing Cole 30 times, beating him with a chair leg, and then disfiguring him with a Dremel modeling tool.
Leverett confessed, according to the district attorney, the confession was ruled admissible and bond was set at $1 million. The trial, like many, went through delays, including a change of attorney. Then COVID-19 hit: another delay.
In mid-August, Warren County Judge Bart Stanley reduced Leverett's bond from $1 million to $30,000. Leverett made bail that day and got out of prison for $3,000.
Leverett is living with his mom and grandparents, who are co-defendants in the case.
The Jackson Sun reports police determined Leverett's mother and grandparents attempted to hinder the investigation into Cole's death.