Cedar Hill man accused of murdering neighbor out on bond

A Cedar Hill man charged with murdering his neighbor and wounding her son and her husband is free after paying his bond.

The husband and son of the murder victim said Tuesday they were blindsided by Danny Silvers’ release from the Lew Sterrett Jail on a $300,000 bond. He was originally being held on an $800,000 bond for murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

David Bailey's pain is impossible to hide as he sits at a memorial garden in his front yard in memory of his murdered wife, 60-year-old Jeri Edwards.

Bailey still has scars from where he was shot last month after Cedar Hill police say Silvers shot all three victims. It followed an argument about water being sprayed on Silvers' truck in his driveway.

"I don't know why the court would feel bad for him because he doesn't get to come home for Thanksgiving. My wife doesn't get to come home for Thanksgiving,” Bailey said.

Silvers’ criminal history includes a guilty plea in 2010 for deadly conduct and 3 DWI's. Cedar Hill police say they're concerned enough about his release to increase the number of patrols around the victim's home.

But criminal case experts say it's a matter of procedure, not sympathy, for Silvers’ release.

"A bond is set to assure a person's presence in court,” said former Dallas County Chief Prosecutor Toby Shook.

Shook, who’s not involved in this case, said only in capital murder cases can someone be held without bond. Short of that, he said everyone is entitled to a reasonable bond.

Court records show there are restrictions on silvers. He is ordered to stay away from weapons, drugs, alcohol and the victim’s home and work. He's also required to wear a tracking device.

"How is this man walking around breathing, driving, with a CDL, that he can go out and get a job,” Bailey said.

Bailey wants to know how Silvers could be considered indigent enough for the court to appoint him an attorney and then come up with $30,000 cash to post his bond.

"We don't know if the defendant actually paid for that,” Shook said. “That could have been a relative and they are not required to pay for his attorney, they can pay for his bond and they are responsible."

That’s cold comfort for Bailey as the holidays approach.

"I would sell this house, him and everything I own for one more chance to kiss my wife.”