Harper Woods Killer Was Bailed Out Just 2 Days Before Massacre: Cops

HARPER WOODS, MI — A Harper Woods man police said killed his stepfather and girlfriend, as well as stabbing his mother Sunday night, was released from jail on bond just days earlier, police said.

Jonathan Milamont Welch, 23, was originally placed in jail on June 12 after police said he tortured and sexually assaulted his girlfriend. Prosecutors said Welch strangled his girlfriend with an extension cord, poured gasoline on her, tortured her with a red-hot spatula, and then sexually assaulted her with a pole.

He was charged with multiple felonies, including torture, home invasion and third-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was given a $100,000 cash bond, which his mother covered just two days before the massacre inside the Harper Woods home.

Welch was released from jail on a GPS tether and ordered to stay away from his girlfriend, police said.

"This is the court's worst nightmare, the worst possible scenario that could happen," 36th District Court Judge Kenneth King said. "The witness has been killed after the defendant was placed on bond, given the benefit of being placed on bond with house arrest."

Police said Welch beat his 70-year-old stepfather and 22-year-old girlfriend to death inside a Harper Woods home on the 20600 block of Kenosha near Moross Road and Interstate 94.

Welch also stabbed his mother as she ran out the house to a neighbor's home, police said.

As officers approached the home, Welch fired shots at officers and locked himself inside the home, police said.

Police finally arrested Welch after a seven-hour standoff and took him to a nearby hospital, police said. There were no injuries during the standoff.

When officers entered the home, they found the two dead bodies as well as Welch's 1-year-old son in the backyard, police said.

The 1-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, police said.

Welch has now been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of second-degree arson, seven counts of felonious assault, and six felony firearm violations.

His next court date is set for July 20 for a probable cause hearing.