Four correctional officers were assigned to escort Payne from his unit to the courtroom. They surrounded Payne during the entire hearing — nearly blocking him entirely from the public viewing area.

He had turned himself in early Friday morning. Friday afternoon, he was released from jail through a separate exit door to make sure no altercations occurred on the property, Baez said. Officials have done this in other high-profile cases, she said.

“Anytime there’s a reason to believe an inmate’s safety is in jeopardy, the department takes additional steps to ensure their safety, even upon release,” Baez said.

Douglas County Judge Thomas Harmon ruled that Payne was not a threat to the public or a flight risk. He agreed with both prosecutors and defense attorneys, who recommended $25,000 bail.

About 10 relatives and friends of Payne’s attended the hearing, and eight police officers gathered outside the jail, though only two went to the hearing.

Many of the officers wore their police badges or shirts with the emblem of the Black Police Officers Association.