In a Seattle federal courtroom, the bail request of James Cody Bryant—the 30-year-old alleged co-conspirator in the February 10 attack on Tumbler Ridge Secondary School—was rejected. Wearing an olive-green shirt, glasses and long hair, Bryant appeared visibly upset, sniffing and crying as the hearing began.
The courtroom was split: roughly eight people seated on Bryant’s side, a dozen on the prosecution’s side. Bryant, who has been transitioning to female and uses she/her pronouns, is charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country. The charge stems from alleged assistance to 18-year-old shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar who killed five students, an educational assistant, his mother and step-brother before taking his own life.
Alleged online collaboration and logistical support
Prosecutors presented a timeline showing months of digital communication between Bryant and Van Rootselaar on the Discord platform. According to the memorandum, Bryant offered tactical advice—suggesting target areas inside the school and recommending specific firearms. The pair also discussed a livestream of the attack; Van Rootselaar told Bryant on Feb. 9 that he would not act unless someone was certain to broadcast the event. Bryant replied that she would adjust her sleep schedule to be available “day or night.”
When the stream was attempted, a technical glitch cut it off after about 20 seconds, a failure the prosecution said was not Bryant’s fault. Financially, Bryant sent $14.33 via PayPal to purchase a lighter for an explosive device that Van Rootselaar later used. Although the transaction was reversed after the PayPal account was deactivated, prosecutors argue the payment shows a willingness to facilitate the plot.
Prosecution versus defence: the bail battle
Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg argued that Bryant poses a flight risk and a continuing danger to the community. He highlighted her “serious mental-health concerns” and substance-abuse issues, noting a statement dated Jan. 12 in which Bryant told Van Rootselaar she was suicidal. Greenberg stressed that “there are simply no conditions of release that can be fully and effectively enforced to ensure that Bryant does not pose a continuing threat through online behavior.”
Defence attorneys Gregory Murphy and Dennis Carroll countered that Bryant has no prior criminal record, cooperated with investigators, and maintains stable ties to western Washington, including employment at a local fast-food restaurant. They argued that the government delayed her arrest for seven months after an initial FBI interview in March, only bringing her into custody four days after an Oct. 2 warrant was issued and a press conference was scheduled. The defence also emphasized that Bryant repeatedly tried to dissuade Van Rootselaar and that there is no evidence she knew specific details of the day-of plan.
Judge’s ruling and the road ahead
Magistrate Judge Mary Alice Theiler concluded that the risks could not be mitigated through any reasonable release conditions. She cited the complexity of monitoring Bryant’s internet activity and the depth of her mental-health issues, noting that “constant supervision to prevent Bryant from accessing the internet” would be unfeasible. Consequently, Bryant was ordered to remain detained pending further court action.
The decision underscores the difficulty of balancing public safety with bail principles in cases where alleged wrongdoing is primarily digital. As the investigation continues, authorities will likely keep a close watch on Bryant’s communications and mental-health treatment within the correctional system.
