Davidson County Judge Melissa Blackburn has revoked ChudTheBuilder’s bond after reviewing his social media activity and evaluating his concerning behavior.
Chud, the controversial American livestreamer who goes by the name of Dalton Eatherly, was involved in a shooting incident on May 13. Chud was arrested for attempted murder (and remains at the Montgomery County Jail) after he allegedly shot at a Black disabled veteran, Joshua Fox, outside of a Tennessee courthouse. While ChudTheBuilder’s case has gained widespread attention on the Internet, especially among his fanbase, this is not the first time the livestreamer has landed in trouble.
Known for his violent livestreams and racially insensitive behavior towards Black people, Chud reportedly refused to pay his bill at a Nashville restaurant, leading to his arrest on May 9. While Chud was granted bail on a bond agreement, which required him to stay out of trouble, the shooting incident was clearly a violation, leading to Melissa Blackburn revoking his initial bond.
While this decision ensures that Chud will remain behind bars, it did not sit well with his supporters and loyal fanbase, who targeted Blackburn online for her unjust ruling.
More on this in our story.
Judge Melissa Blackburn revoked ChudTheBuilder’s bond
Reportedly, ChudTheBuilder was charged with theft of services, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct on May 9, when he failed to pay a $400 tab at a Nashville restaurant. While Chud was ultimately released after posting bail, the bond required him to stay out of trouble. However, the shooting incident on May 13 brought the livestreamer into the spotlight again and violated his original bond.
After days of trials, prosecutors presented Eatherly’s social media posts and videos created just moments before the shooting on Wednesday. The livestreamer, who is currently facing charges for attempted murder, aggravated assault, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, was called out for his “violent and racist” behaviour in court, which eventually convinced Melissa Blackburn to revoke his bond.
”Based on what I’ve seen on social media and Mr. Eatherly’s behavior...,” said Blackburn, moments before she revoked ChudTheBuilder’s bond.
The aftermath of Judge Melissa Blackburn’s ruling
Some of Eatherly’s online following argued that the bond revocation was unjust and protested the court’s earlier decision to block his crowdfunding campaigns from paying his bond.
The ruling immediately sparked a wave of reactions across social media. ChudTheBuilder’s supporters accused Blackburn of judicial bias and claimed she had unfairly singled him out. However, critics of those claims argued that the judge was responding to newly introduced evidence and enforcing the conditions attached to Eatherly’s previous release.
As Chud’s case continues to gain traction on social media, Melissa Blackburn has become the newest target after she revoked the streamer’s initial bond. While the Judge merely responded to the new social media activity and videos presented by prosecutors, Chud’s supporters are calling her out for her unjust ruling.
Legal experts maintain that ChudTheBuilder’s original bond required him to stay out of trouble, which was violated when he got himself involved in the May 13 shooting incident. Chud’s racially biased behaviour and concerning online activity have further added fuel to the fire, with critics maintaining that Blackburn’s decision was fair.
While ChudTheBuilder will be transported back to Montgomery County Jail, his attorney, Jacob Fendley, has filed a motion to toss the charges.
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Edited by Aashna