Arizona Court: $75M Cash-Only Bond 'Excessive'
Legal News Center
A $75 million cash-only bond for a father accused of sexually abusing his children was unconstitutionally excessive and denied him the opportunity to be freed from jail while he awaits trial, the state appellate court ruled.
The court already had sent the case back to Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Tina Ainley before issuing a formal opinion last week, explaining its decision. Ainley held a status conference Tuesday afternoon but did not reset the bond.
The appellate court said only a handful of extraordinarily wealthy people would be able to afford the bond the judge had set. It was perhaps one of the largest bail amounts on record in U.S. history. In comparison, Osama bin Laden's bounty was $25 million, and BTK killer Dennis Rader's bond was set at $10 million. Jeffrey Dahmer's bail was $1 million.
"Nothing suggests that (defendant) — an unemployed man dependent upon others for financial assistance — falls anywhere near inclusion within such an elite group," the court wrote. "Although Judge Ainley ruled (defendant) was bailable, the oppressive requirements she imposed effectively constituted a denial of bail."
The defendant, a longtime Sedona resident and Brazilian national, faces two counts of continuous sexual abuse involving his children. Prosecutors argued that he was a flight risk and said his children feared for their safety. A defense attorney said his client had no plans to flee the country and has maintained his innocence.
Related listings
-
Jury deliberates in post-Katrina shootings trial
Legal News Center 08/03/2011Jurors have begun deliberating the fate of five current or former police officers charged in deadly shootings on a New Orleans bridge after Hurricane Katrina.Jurors began their deliberations Wednesday after U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt gave th...
-
Murdoch foam attacker gets 6 weeks in jail
Legal News Center 08/02/2011Police investigating phone hacking and police bribery at defunct British tabloid News of the World on Tuesday arrested a man, believed to be a former executive at the newspaper.The Metropolitan Police said a 71-year-old man had been arrested by appoi...
-
Ex-Schuyler teacher seeks OK to plead guilty
Legal News Center 08/01/2011A former Schuyler teacher accused of sending nude photos and sexually explicit text messages to a student is asking to plead guilty. The Columbus Telegram reports that 26-year-old Jesse Harmon faces federal charges of enticing a minor in sexually exp...
New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC
Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.