Bond revocation hearing set for man accused of Jacob Baldwin’s murder

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A bond revocation hearing has been scheduled for this Wednesday for Nico Rivera, the man accused of killing Jacob Baldwin during an altercation last October in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition neighborhood.

Rivera was taken back into custody last week after what appeared to be a violation of his bond conditions. Court records show that he failed to report for mandatory random drug testing on two separate occasions -- May 19 and June 11 -- violating the terms of his release.

Rivera is facing a second-degree murder charge stemming from an incident on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, when he allegedly punched Baldwin during a fight. Baldwin fell, fractured his skull and later died in the hospital.

Since his initial arrest, Rivera had been under house arrest. In April, his attorney requested that Rivera be allowed to leave his home to spend time in his family's yard, attend church and have contact with his girlfriend. The Commonwealth opposed any changes, and the judge only permitted limited outdoor access within his yard.

A motion to revoke Rivera’s bond was filed last week, and he was taken into custody on Thursday. He is scheduled to appear in Richmond City Circuit Court on Wednesday at 9 a.m.