Judge denies bond for man accused in shootout that killed Charlotte mother

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A young mother was on her way to nursing school in March of 2019 when she drove into the middle of a shootout in north Charlotte and was killed.

On Thursday, one of Kendal Crank’s accused killers, 23-year-old Tychicus Dobie, fought to get out of jail, but was denied.

Dobie’s attorney argued that Dobie was just along for the ride the day the 27-year-old mother was killed in a shootout on North Tryon Street and was shot himself.

“My client had no gun. My client was not a member of any of these groups,” Dobie’s attorney said.

But when the judge learned that Dobie has several convictions on his record, including robbery, he said no to setting a bond.

Crank’s mother, Linda Springs, was in the courtroom and told Channel 9 that she is happy with the judge’s decision.

“I’m just so grateful what transpired in the courtroom today ... that there was no bond given,” she said. “We have to let these young guys know that they’re not getting away with this. They’re not walking out of this.... at some point it has to stop.”

Police release 911 calls after nursing student shot, killed driving in north Charlotte Police release 911 calls after nursing student shot, killed driving in north Charlotte

Crank’s family said that the decision should be a message to those responsible for Charlotte’s epidemic of violence.

“This is not a revolving door. The door has to stay shut at some point and hopefully that message can get around inside the jailhouse. The Charlotte Mecklenburg system isn’t playing any more,” Crank’s stepfather, Donald Springs, said.

The other two men charged in Crank’s death, Marquis Smith and Adonis Smith, are still in jail without bond. They have yet to enter pleas in the case.

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