Flight Risk? Prosecutors Think Couple, Who Will Remain in Custody, Might
Go South
By KRISTINA WONG
June 17, 2009
Government prosecutors in USA v. Myers involving an American couple
accused of spying for the Cuban government -- requested without
opposition to freeze a retirement account owned by the defendants,
72-year-old Walter Kendall Myers and 71-year-old Gwendolyn Steingraber
Myers.
The request on Wednesday comes after defense attorneys tried to gain the
Myerses' release from detention at Washington's Correctional Treatment
Facility, a medium security 1,200-person lockup next to the District of
Columbia jail that houses women, jail overflows, a medical infirmary and
other inmates in special programs.
Defense attorneys have suggested home confinement where the couple could
see their four children, proposing that their clients only be allowed to
leave for meetings related to the case, and that they post as bond their
Northwest Washington apartment, their boat and $250,000 to discourage
flight. Last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge John Facciola agreed with
prosecutors that the Myerses should stay in jail because they were a
flight risk, and U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Walton did not
overturn that ruling today.
Judge Walton is unlikely to release the Myerses from detention at least
until another status hearing set for the end of July.
The Myerses have been charged with three decades of spying for Cuba.
Authorities say the Myerses delivered government secrets to Cuban agents
over the past 30 years using a shortwave radio, by swapping carts at a
grocery store and in at least one face-to-face meeting with former Cuban
leader Fidel Castro in Cuba. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Today the Myerses requested joint-representation by law firm Sidley
Austin, LLP although Judge Walton warned it could be against their
interest to have joint-representation for several reasons.
Defendants Waived Right to a Speedy Trial
Also today, both parties agreed to an extension of 45 days for the trial
to begin, with the defendants waiving their rights to a speedy trial.
Both sides agreed more time would be needed since the case is so complex
and will involve classified material that will take defense attorneys
time to review.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cuban Spy Case: Retirement Account Will be Frozen of American Spies -
ABC News (17 June 2009)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=7864520&page=1
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