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John Allen Muhammad's government lawyer admitted Monday his
client was having some trouble raising the $157,000,000 bail
required for his release but said they would continue searching
for more money.
"I think that unusually high figure amounts to extortion,"
said Public Defender James Wyda as he counted through what's
left of Muhammad's savings. "Unfortunately, my client
has worked only sporadically over the last year, and not at
all during the last two months —not because he was out
killing people, but because he had an achy back."
Muhammad and 17-year old John Lee Malvo, suspects in the
shootings of 17 people resulting in 12 deaths in five different
states, have thus far been unsuccessful in raising funds through
friends, relatives and even D.C. area bail bondsmen.
"So far we're stuck at around $200 plus or minus,"
Wyda admitted. "That includes what we found in his glove
box and under his couch cushions. Unfortunately, the money
from the glove box was confiscated by police when they towed
the car, so we really can't count that, can we."
Local DC bondsman Mike DeSalvo said he would love to help
but he just can't put together that amount of money without
some kind of major collateral.
"Maybe if you can get Disney to put up 15-20% of their
stock, then we might be in business," DeSalvo joked.
"Otherwise, that guy is pretty much screwed."
Disney CEO Michael Eisner did not immediately return our
calls.
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