Saturday, Jermaine Derell Edwards confessed to the April 17 murder of Dernius K. Jackson. Wednesday, the 17-year-old was issued a $5 million bond.

District Judge Bob Armstrong said Edwards’ confession, and his history of violent crimes, proved he has no regard for human life.

“I do believe your actions toward people in the community are outrageous,” he said. “ I plan to continue setting high bonds to let people know if you choose to use guns to settle differences this court is going to take the hardest stand possible. I don’t want innocent people hurt because of the reckless attitude you have toward human life.”

District Attorney Michael Jackson said he feels the bond is suitable for Edwards’ alleged crime.

“We are pleased with the bond the judge set,” he said.

Edwards’ attorney Ed Greene disagreed. Greene said he felt the bond was excessive in relation to Edwards’ age and charges.

“It seems more suited to a contract killer,” he said, after hearing assistant district attorney Lloria James’ recommendation.

When James requested the bond, she said the office set their sights high because they feel Edwards is a danger to the community.

“We feel he is a very serious criminal,” she said. “He is a danger to the community and has proven he does not care about human life.”

During the hearing, James questioned Selma Police Department Detective Fred Walker on the events that led to Edwards’ arrest.

Walker said fingerprints initially led the department to Courtney Lewis, who identified Edwards as the shooter. After Edwards was questioned, Walker said he confessed and led authorities to the weapon at his father’s 1006 Kingsbend Road home. The weapon, Walker said, was discovered in a plastic bag in a bedroom closet.

Tests on the weapon are still being conducted to match the weapon to the 9 mm shell casings found at the scene of the G.W.C. Homes shooting. Walker said neither Lewis nor Edwards indicated what instigated the shooting.

Edwards was initially issued no bond at the time of his arrest.

He will again appear in court June 23 for his preliminary hearing.

At the time of the shooting, authorities reported the gunshot, which entered Jackson in the back, exited his stomach. Jackson was rushed to Vaughan Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.