Bail Bonds and Steady Improvements
Back in Long Beach. Been back for several days, actually, and the world deserves an update.
Mom headed back home again today. What was originally thought to have been a few days back in the hospital has ended up stretching into nearly two weeks. Not that I'm complaining, mind, Mom made it clear that she wasn't going to budge until she felt ready and her infections were under control. Which, I'm told, they are.
Since I've no idea whatsoever about what's inappropriate to post about the criminal and civil cases against Bill, to hell with it, I'll just spill some of what I know and delete it if I get any finger wagging from Dennis or anyone else in the legal community.
So...
Lots of sneaky shennanigans on the part of Bill's legal team. From the beginning, we've been offered to strike deals to get Mom's bills paid and a greater cash award/settlement at the end of all this in exchange for allowing a reduction in Bill's bond. It's been $2 million all along, 50% of which Bill needs to round up to bail himself out. He's been asking for a decrease to 10% all along, which... well... needless to say, we're doing everything in our power to keep the old guy in the hoosegow.
Recently, the same day Bill was served with papers that demonstrated his assets being frozen, he managed to move a couple hundred thousand dollars out of his mutual funds and into an "undisclosed location." We were livid. It was obviously for bail and attorney fees... and, while it might not have been enough for bail, it was certainly enough to pay a bail bondsman. So, quick-fast, my sisters and I scrambled to repair the situation. We discovered from Mom's divorce attorney that Bill may well be in contempt, so Dennis had those funds diverted into an Escrow account that couldn't be touched by Bill or anyone. Meanwhile, I called the prosecutors office with the situation. They immediately made a motion to have his bail increased.
So, good news there.
A pre-trial happened this morning and apparently a couple of ass clowns from Bill's church stood up to testify as to why Bill's not such a bad guy. After all, he's been a regular contributor to church and the community, not to mention an active participant in international missions. He's, you know, a generally nice fellow, so the judge might want to consider leniency.
When the prosecutor was asked if he had anything to add, he asked, "so... Bill's involved in international missions? Should we take that to mean that he's kept up to date with a valid passport?"
"Uh. Well. Yes, probably."
"Okay. Nothing futher, Your Honor."
And just like that, the judge decided to increase the bail. Bill now has to round up 100% of the $2 million.
Pretty damn cool.
And speaking of trials, a date has been set for the Criminal trial... as in, the real deal. As in a jury and everything. It's September 20th, which is much quicker than any of us anticipated. The wheels of Justice grind slow, but apparently not too slow.
So, the 20th's the big day. I'm a bit worried for Mom, because she'll have to meet him face to face for the first time since the attack. We've every indication that the judge is sympathetic to her plight and will deal fairly, but it'll still be hugely intimidating.
Also, it may be Mom's first public appearance, new mask and all. I'm sure she'll do fine, but it's an awful lot for one person to contend with.
So, we're still chugging along. A lot has been happening outside of the whole acid attack debacle, but it simply hasn't been on my mind, so I've neglected to post. I'm sure you can understand.
posted by Jeremy Bear 10:44 AM
