LAS VEGAS/WARRENSBURG, Missouri: The lawyer for a Saudi facing abduction and assault charges in the United States has asked the court in Las Vegas to reduce the bail for his client, while the defense for another Saudi accused of murder in Missouri is asking that his client be released on bond before his August trial.
Defense attorney Don Chairez argued on Monday that it’s unfair to keep holding Mazen Alotaibi on $1.72 million bail pending trial July 22. Chairez says bail should be $85,000.
Alotaibi is charged with kidnapping and assault of a boy under 14, among other allegations, all of which he had vehemently denied.
Chairez said in court documents that Circus-Circus hotel video raises doubts about the boy’s claim that he was forced into a room and abused early Dec. 31.
In Warrensburg, Missouri, a judge is to hear arguments about why Saudi national Ziyad Abid should be released on bond.
The government of Saudi Arabia posted a $2 million bond in April to free the 24-year-old student, but Judge Michael Wagner rejected it because it wasn't posted by a licensed bail bond agent.
Judge Wagner says Abid is a flight risk because his status as a student at the University of Central Missouri has been revoked. The judge scheduled a new bond hearing for Tuesday.
Abid is charged with murder and armed criminal action in the Sept. 1 shooting death of Warrensburg bar owner Blaine Whitworth. He was arrested Sept. 5 after his roommate, Reginald Singletary Jr., told investigators Abid had paid him to pull the trigger. The accused had also denied the charges.
Bail sought for 2 Saudis facing raps in US
