Asia-Pacific

Judge sets $20M bail for US kidnap suspect

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-01-22 16:56
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PLACERVILLE, California: A judge has set bail at $20 million for a woman accused of kidnapping and raping Jaycee Dugard and holding her captive for 18 years.

In setting the high bail amount, El Dorado Superior Court Judge Douglas Phimister said Thursday he considered Nancy Garrido to be a danger to the community and a flight risk.

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Garrido has pleaded not guilty in the 1991 kidnapping and sexual assault.

Her husband, Phillip Garrido, also has pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at $30 million in September.

Also Thursday, Phimister appointed a new lawyer for Nancy Garrido and said a weeks-long dispute over her representation had sidetracked the case and could adversely affect the defendant's rights.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 25.