What’s meant to be a moment of justice is now stirring frustration across Texas.
A man accused of fatally shooting a young realtor in downtown Dallas is back on the streets—despite being denied a reduced bond by a judge.
The reason? He managed to come up with the cash anyway.
$500K Bail Paid Despite Judge’s Refusal to Lower It
34-year-old Kendrick Finch, the man charged with the shooting death of 28-year-old realtor Ashlee Long, was granted release from jail last week after posting a $500,000 bond.
The judge overseeing the case had recently rejected Finch’s request for a bond reduction, yet that didn’t stop him from securing the full amount and walking free.
Long’s heartbroken stepsister, Gillian Kimber, expressed the family’s disbelief to Fox 4 News:
“The person who shot that bullet is walking the streets, and that’s kind of the problem we’re focused on this week.”
The Deadly Encounter Caught on Video
The tragic events unfolded in the early morning hours of April 5. Long, a successful Houston-area realtor, had been in Dallas for work.
Surveillance footage from downtown shows her walking with a man later identified as William Kistler.
At around 2:30 a.m., the pair crossed a street when Kistler reached out and touched a passing white Mercedes Benz.
That brief contact set off a deadly chain of events.
Finch, a passenger in the car, allegedly became enraged.
As Kistler reached for a gun that was inside Long’s purse, she tried to stop him.
But Finch had already exited the vehicle, firearm in hand.
Within moments, shots rang out. Finch opened fire on the couple.
Long was fatally struck, and Kistler was also hit but survived after being rushed to the hospital. Finch fled the scene.
Shooter Turned Himself In—Eventually
Hours later, Finch called the police and admitted he was the shooter.
Yet, he didn’t surrender to authorities until nearly two weeks later, on April 18.
His defense has since claimed he acted in self-defense, putting the blame on Kistler for sparking the confrontation.
Finch’s attorney, James Healy, argued in court that Kistler was the real instigator, saying:
“We know for sure Ashlee Long would be alive today except for William Kistler.
He started everything that night—it’s in the video.”
Defense Points to Kistler’s Criminal Past
Finch’s legal team has zeroed in on Kistler’s history.
According to records, Kistler has a long criminal background, including charges for assault, burglary, and violating protective orders.
The night Long was killed, he was also arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
He remains in jail, but not for Long’s death—rather, for unrelated outstanding warrants.
Finch’s lawyer didn’t hold back, stating:
“It doesn’t surprise me that they charged [Kistler]. He’s a convicted felon carrying a firearm. There were more charges that could’ve been pursued, and we’re going to find out why they weren’t.”
Who Was Ashlee Long?
Ashlee Long wasn’t just another name in the headlines.
Her loved ones remember her as a bright, driven woman who had built a successful career in real estate around Houston.
She was engaged to her high school sweetheart, Jacob Underwood, and was looking forward to a future filled with promise.
Her family described her in her obituary as someone full of life, and her death has left a void that can’t be filled.
Family Demands Change, Pushes for Bail Reform
The Long family isn’t staying silent. In the wake of Finch’s release, they’ve launched a website encouraging people to contact Texas Governor Greg Abbott and demand bail reform.
The family believes that no accused killer should have the ability to post bail and walk free before facing trial.
Kimber, still stunned by Finch’s release, shared:
“You shouldn’t be able to murder someone and get out on bail… to possibly run into that person in public is just not right.”