A man accused of rape was released by a Virginia judge over concerns that he might catch COVID while in jail. So, how did the alleged felon thank the Virginia court system for his new-found freedom?

Fox News explains:

A Virginia rape suspect, who was released from jail because of concerns regarding the new coronavirus, went on to kill the woman who had accused him, according to police. […]

Bouaichi was indicted last year on charges that included rape, strangulation and abduction. The woman, whom police identified as Karla Elizabeth Dominguez Gonzalez, testified against him in Alexandria District Court in December.

He was jailed without bond in Alexandria – until the pandemic hit. Bouaichi’s lawyers argued that he should be freed awaiting trial because the virus endangered inmates and their attorneys. He was released on a $25,000 bond over the objections of a prosecutor.

READ: Freed from jail amid coronavirus, VA rape suspect kills accuser: report

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s plans to release an additional 8,000 prisoners by the end of August. This is in addition to the 10,000 previously released. Now to be fair, California officials are not planning to release anyone jailed for violent crimes. READ: 18,000 prisoners to be released by end of August, California Department of Corrections says

So while several states are releasing prisoners because of concerns they might catch the coronavirus while in jail, back in March several states were threatening jail time for people who violated COVID lockdown rules. READ: States threatening jail time over coronavirus orders’ violations