A Carver County man charged with murder in the shooting death of an unarmed driver following a roadside argument in St. Paul last weekend made his first court appearance Friday, where his bail was lowered to $500,000.
During the hearing, Anthony J. Trifiletti, 24, spoke only three words confirming that he understood Judge Kelly Olmstead. Trifiletti, who appeared behind a glass partition in an orange jail jumpsuit wearing a surgical mask and glasses, said nothing else during the 20-minute hearing at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center.
Olmstead set his bail at $500,000, on the condition that he remain under supervision of electronic home monitoring, surrender all firearms, use no drugs or alcohol and complete a chemical health assessment. Bail without conditions was set at $750,000.
Trifiletti, of Watertown, told police he feared for his life before opening fire on 39-year-old Douglas C. Lewis, striking him four times last Friday night after Lewis collided with Trifiletti's car and the two argued along the side of Burns Road off Hwy. 61. Trifiletti alleged that Lewis appeared to be reaching toward his waistband as he advanced toward Trifiletti.
But Lewis' family and friends believe Trifiletti, who is white, perceived Lewis, who is black, as a threat because of his race and is now claiming self-defense as an excuse.
Trifiletti initially fled the crime scene, but quickly returned after his father advised him to over the phone, according to second-degree murder charges. He surrendered to police that night.
In court Friday, prosecutor Sabrina Spangler argued that Trifiletti's bail should remain at $1 million, saying that the severity of the alleged crime warranted such a substantial amount.
She also waived off the defense's concerns related to Trifiletti's safety inside the jail amid heightened media attention and COVID-19.