CHARLOTTE — A judge set bond last week for one of the men accused of killing a 20-year-old woman with disabilities.
In April 2020, investigators say they found Mary Collins stabbed to death and stuffed inside a mattress at a NoDa apartment.
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James Salerno is one of three suspects charged with Collins’ murder and kidnapping.
Salerno has been behind bars without bond for the last three years.
A judge set his bond at $250,000 Thursday, our partners at The Charlotte Observer reported.
Last year, Salerno pleaded not guilty.
‘She was very trusting, very loving’
Collins’ grandmother said she wants to focus on her loving and artistic granddaughter.
“She liked to write,” said Mia Alderman. “She liked to draw. She played guitar.”
Collins was a talented and magical artist who got along well with others, Alderman said.
“She was very trusting, very loving, very forgiving,” the grandmother said.
Alderman said she was disappointed when she learned that one of her granddaughter’s four alleged killers could be released from jail.
“This is some scary, scary stuff,” Alderman said. “This should shake everybody to their core to their bone.”
Alderman isn’t blaming the judge but still doesn’t think it’s right.
“They shouldn’t have a bond. They killed Mary. They brutalized her, tortured her,” Alderman said.
It’s another blow to Collins’ family as they seek justice while remembering what really matters, which is the life of a gentle, artistic and giving soul.
“Mary was the sweetest, kindest person we’ve ever known,” Alderman said.
The grandmother doesn’t want Collins’ story to be lost through all the details of the case and the process of the judicial system.
America Diehl was charged with concealment and failure to report a death and accessory after the fact.
She’s out on bond.
Kelly Lavery pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to at least 25 years in prison.
Lavi Pham pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
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