After one year, bond set for defendant in death case

A judge decided today that an Easley man who has sat in the Oconee jail for one year since his arrest in a death case is deserving of a bond.  And that’s in spite of the prosecution’s objections.  The arguments of the defendant’s lawyer, however, helped sway Judge Scott Sprouse to set a $40 thousand surety bond, require electric monitoring, make and no contact with the victim’s family.  Another condition is that the accused, El Asia Hassain Muhammed, live with his father.  Muhammed awaits trial on charges of hit/run with death, failure to stop for a blue light, and driving under suspension.  The defendant’s car allegedly went through an intersection and crashed into a Seneca area home, killing a woman who had gone to bed.  The victim was Vanessa Leanne Neimeyer.  Late at night, July 1, 2019, according to law enforcement authorities, Muhammed sped past a highway patrol checkpoint which prompted a chase by troopers.  Opposing any bond was Jason Alderman, assistant solicitor.  He told Judge Sprouse that Muhammed is a flight risk and a danger to the community.  But defense lawyer Ryan Beasley said his client has no previous record, is apologetic for what happened, and can live with his father.  The father said there’s a job awaiting his son. A trial date was not announced.