Bail Ruling Appealed in Lodi Terror Case

(Sacramento, California) Defense lawyers have been struggling to get bail set for Umer Hayat, charged with lying to federal investigators about his terrorist ties. Last October, certain property was deemed adequate as security for his release, however, federal prosecutors have appealed the ruling.

From SacBee.com:

A week ago, U.S. Magistrate Judge Dale A. Drozd found four pieces of Lodi property and the owners, all relatives of Hayat, to be "suitable and sufficient" to secure Hayat's release to home confinement on $1.2 million bail.

Drozd stayed Hayat's release for seven days to give prosecutors an opportunity to appeal to U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. Prosecutors filed their appeal shortly before midnight Monday, the seventh day.

The appeal is contained in a 60-page document which will be countered by papers filed by Hayat's attorney, Johnny Griffin III. Prosecutors insist that Hayat is a flight risk and a danger to the community. It's believed that the security offered is insufficient to prevent him from fleeing to Pakistan. Judge Burrell will be asked to hear arguments Friday.

To reiterate my thinking, if Hayat is released on bail, I doubt that we'll ever see him again.