U.S. Virgin Islands — The Virgin Islands Department of Justice (DOJ) is issuing the following statement to clarify the Department’s position regarding the bail proceedings involving Brian Schooler.
Contrary to public reports suggesting otherwise, the DOJ has never sought Mr. Schooler’s release without bail. Mr. Schooler has remained in the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections (BOC) since his arrest on June 26, 2026.
“It is important that the public has an accurate understanding of what occurred in court,” said Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea. “From the outset of this case, the Department has sought conditions that protect the community while ensuring the judicial process is followed. At no time did the Department request Mr. Schooler’s release without bail.”
At Mr. Schooler’s initial Advice of Rights hearing on June 29, the Department requested that he be detained without bail pursuant to Title 5 V.I.C. § 3504a, which authorizes pretrial detention without bail for individuals charged with first-degree murder who pose a risk to community safety. The Court granted that request and remanded Mr. Schooler to the BOC without bail.
Later that same day, the People withdrew their request for detention under Section 3504a and instead requested that the Court establish secured bail conditions. This procedural decision was based solely on the statutory requirements governing cases brought under Section 3504a, which require an expedited trial schedule. Because critical forensic and ballistic evidence had to be sent off island for testing, additional time was necessary to complete the investigation.
Accordingly, the Department withdrew its request under Section 3504a not because it sought Mr. Schooler’s release—but because proceeding under that statute was incompatible with the time needed to complete essential forensic testing. The Department continued to advocate for strict conditions to protect the public while the investigation moved forward.
On July 1, the Court conducted a hearing to determine appropriate bail conditions. The Department requested $1 million secured bail, together with stringent conditions designed to protect public safety, including a third-party custodian, 24-hour home confinement, GPS monitoring, surrender of all firearms to the Virgin Islands Police Department, and other standard conditions of pretrial release.
The Court set bail at $500,000 and imposed those conditions. A further hearing has been scheduled for July 15 to make a final determination regarding pretrial release. Mr. Schooler remains incarcerated at the BOC, where he has remained continuously since his arrest on June 26.
The DOJ remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the community, supporting victims, and pursuing justice with integrity. The Department will continue to vigorously prosecute this case and advocate for conditions that ensure public safety while respecting the rule of law.
To be clear, the Virgin Islands Department of Justice has never sought Mr. Schooler’s release without bail.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2026
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov