MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Shelby County Commissioner is calling a local judge “a threat to the public” after the release of a suspect accused of shooting several people outside a Midtown restaurant.

Detawn Gunn, who is accused of injuring at least four people in a shooting outside Railgarten on Aug. 16, was released from jail on his own recognizance Aug. 27 after a hearing in Judge Bill Anderson’s court.

Wednesday, during a county commission hearing on bail review, Commissioner Mick Wright blasted Anderson, who he blamed for the decision to release Gunn.

“I think he has a screw loose. I wish he would trade in his robe for an orange jumpsuit, because I think he is a threat to the public,” Wright said.

District Attorney Steve Mulroy had argued during last month’s hearing that Gunn should remain in jail with bond to be set at $500,000. The office does not set bail amounts, but can make recommendations.

Mulroy’s office later released a statement saying they were disappointed with the bond reduction.

The decision also drew fire from state Sen. Brent Taylor, who is a frequent critic of low bond amounts set for violent offenders in Shelby County, and of Judge Anderson in particular.

Wright noted that it was unusual to have both D.A. Mulroy and Sen. Taylor, who have been publicly at odds over several recent cases, on the same page in this case.

WREG spoke with Anderson about Wright’s comments Wednesday. He said he feels comfortable with his decisions, and he’s sorry if others don’t like them but says, “it’s not a popularity contest.”

“I’ve been doing this job for almost 15 years. I know what I’m doing and I follow the law,” Anderson said.

He responded to Wright’s “screw loose” comment: “I don’t know what he does for a living, but he’s not a neurologist. … He is in a group of people that think they know a lot more about the law than they actually do.”

Anderson continued, “Mr. Taylor and Mr. Wright need to spend their time doing their own jobs that the people elected them to do. I’m doing my job. I know what I’m doing, I’m following the law. There are checks and balances and if somebody finds I’m not doing my job properly, they will let me know, and I will live with that. I will accept that. But at this point, I feel very comfortable in the decisions I’ve made in the last 15 years, and will continue to make until I retire in my own time.”

He says he’s never had a conversation with Wright or Taylor.

Wednesday’s board meeting was centered around a newly released 18-page report on the standing bail order conducted by the University of Memphis.

Researchers studied years of data concerning the pre-trial detention system.

One of the findings reveals there has been an increase with the number of defendants released on their own recognizance — like Detawn Gunn.

The county’s lead judicial commissioner, John Marshall, distanced himself from the Gunn case decision.

“That was not a decision made by a judicial commissioner. And I will leave it at that,” Marshall said.

Gunn, who faces multiple charges including five counts of criminal attempt second-degree murder, was set for a court date Wednesday.

However, District Attorney Steve Mulroy has since filed legal documentation with a higher court to review the case. Because of this, Gunn will likely have to appear in criminal court, instead of General Sessions court, where another judge would decide on a ruling.

Anderson says numerous studies have shown that cash bails target poor people. Local courts are also under a bail agreement with the ACLU and advocacy group Just City over bail.

He says when it comes to this issue, he feels politics is being played.

“I am not a politician. I am a judge and being a judge is not a popularity contest,” he said.