Man accused of deadly Halloween hate attack near Sacramento nightclub released from jail before trial
Updated: 2:58 PM PST Feb 13, 2026
The man accused of fatally attacking a gay man outside of a LGBTQ+ friendly nightclub in Sacramento is not currently in custody, officials said Friday.Sean Payton faces an involuntary manslaughter charge with a hate crime enhancement in connection with the death of Alvin Prasad. His daughter and friend described the Halloween night attack, recalling that Prasad hit the ground after he was punched by a man identified by police as Payton.Prasad was hospitalized for months until he died of his injuries in late December, the Sacramento Police Department said. Earlier, jail records showed he was ineligible for bail.Now, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Payton was released on his own recognizance. When released in that situation, one is not in custody but is obligated to still make court appearances in connection with the charges one is facing.KCRA 3 asked the district attorney’s office about Payton being released on his own recognizance. The DA sent the following response:“Payton’s preliminary hearing was held on February 11, 2026. After the preliminary hearing, Payton was held to answer on the following charges: involuntary manslaughter with a hate crime enhancement and resisting arrest. Payton then made a motion to be released on bail, and over the People’s strenuous objection, the Court released Payton on pre-trial release with conditions.”Jail records state that Payton was released on Wednesday.The alleged attack happened in Sacramento’s Lavender Heights district, a hub for the LGBTQ+ community.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
The man accused of fatally attacking a gay man outside of a LGBTQ+ friendly nightclub in Sacramento is not currently in custody, officials said Friday.
Sean Payton faces an involuntary manslaughter charge with a hate crime enhancement in connection with the death of Alvin Prasad. His daughter and friend described the Halloween night attack, recalling that Prasad hit the ground after he was punched by a man identified by police as Payton.
Prasad was hospitalized for months until he died of his injuries in late December, the Sacramento Police Department said. Earlier, jail records showed he was ineligible for bail.
Now, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Payton was released on his own recognizance. When released in that situation, one is not in custody but is obligated to still make court appearances in connection with the charges one is facing.
KCRA 3 asked the district attorney’s office about Payton being released on his own recognizance. The DA sent the following response:
“Payton’s preliminary hearing was held on February 11, 2026. After the preliminary hearing, Payton was held to answer on the following charges: involuntary manslaughter with a hate crime enhancement and resisting arrest. Payton then made a motion to be released on bail, and over the People’s strenuous objection, the Court released Payton on pre-trial release with conditions.”
Jail records state that Payton was released on Wednesday.
The alleged attack happened in Sacramento’s Lavender Heights district, a hub for the LGBTQ+ community.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel