Judge makes one change to bond agreement for man accused of killing Jacob Baldwin

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The man accused of killing 27-year-old Jacob Baldwin appeared in Richmond City Circuit Court on Thursday morning, his attorney requesting to modify his bond.  

Nico Rivera, also 27, was charged with assaulting and killing Baldwin during a fight on Oct. 12, 2024, in the Scott's Addition neighborhood.

Rivera is accused of punching Baldwin, who fell, fractured his skull and died four days later. The two were strangers.

"We're besides ourselves," Baldwin's mother, Renee Baldwin, told 8News after the hearing. "And we're just getting through day by day."  

Rivera has been on house arrest since he was granted bond in October and hasn't been allowed to have any contact with his girlfriend, a key witness in the case. His attorney, Doug Ramseur, requested the judge to modify three things in his bond, but he only agreed to one.

Ramseur asked the judge to allow Rivera to leave the confines of his home to be in his family's fenced-in yard, attend church and have contact with his girlfriend. The Commonwealth prosecutor was against any modifications and said Rivera is a danger to the community. 

The judge only agreed to allow Rivera to go outside in the yard. Due to Rivera's girlfriend's role in the case, the judge said the only way they would be able to have contact is if Rivera agreed to go to jail instead and talked to her under guard supervision.

As for going to church, he said he was empathetic of Rivera wanting to attend, but said it could be a safety risk and that he should be able to watch online or practice with his family at home, an argument the prosecution made.

There was also disagreement between the prosecution and defense regarding the circumstances under which Rivera turned himself in. The defense said he did so before he was a person of interest, but the prosecutor said that he did so only after a warrant was issued.

Jeff and Renee Baldwin, Jacob Baldwin's parents, told 8News they didn't want Rivera to get bond in the first place, but are pleased with the judge's decision.

"They complain about his being uncomfortable," Jeff Baldwin said. "I mean, our son doesn't have anything and so -- it's, you know, every day is extremely difficult."

They said the Commonwealth attorney has done a good job and that they have worked hard to bring justice for Baldwin.

Rivera's attorney tried to reduce the charge of second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter in March. A judge decided against that and his trial has been scheduled to start Oct. 20.

"We just miss him," Jeff Baldwin said. "Even once the trial is done, we won't get our son back."