Easter expected to post bail next week

Bail was lowered Wednesday in Freeborn County District  Court for a Brownsdale man charged with murder in last month’s fatal shooting at Myre-Big Island State Park.

David Michael Easter, 26, is charged with second-degree murder in the Aug. 23 shooting death of Spencer Daniel Brown, 23, of rural Freeborn County.

District Court Judge Steven Schwab set conditional bail for Easter at $100,000.

Conditional bail was previously set at $250,000.

In his decision, Schwab ruled though Easter’s request for a $25,000 reasonable appearance bond or $5,000 cash deposit was too low based on the case’s weight of evidence, public safety and flight risk, the previous bond amount was too high based on Easter’s financial status, lack of criminal history and having never fled to avoid prosecution.

Easter is expected to post bail next week, according to public defender Michael Ryan.

Authorities have stated Brown was found dead in a locked 2001 Audi station wagon the evening of Aug. 23 in a parking lot near the Big Island pavilion after dispatchers received a 911 call from Easter.

Easter reportedly told dispatchers he had shot Brown in self-defense and claimed Brown approached him with what appeared to be a bat.

Easter’s wife and infant daughter were also reportedly at the pavilion at the time of the shooting but were not injured.

Authorities stated last month evidence does not show the shooting was in self-defense.

Easter was a private first class and received a general discharge from the Minnesota National Guard in July. He has been unemployed since July 1. Easter’s wife is a member of the Minnesota National Guard. The couple married in 2015.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 29.