Defiant to the end - Outlaw bikers refuse bond reduction
A pair of accused biker gang leaders have turned down a deal to reduce their bonds.
Only Volunteer TV was there when Mark Lester and Kenneth Foster appeared in court Tuesday morning.
Defense attorney Phil Lomonaco says the two were offered a reduction of their $3 million dollar bond, if they waived their right to a preliminary hearing and didn't talk to the media about the case. That would have bound the case to the grand jury, something Lomonaco didn't want, because it would prevent him from putting on evidence on behalf of the bikers before the judge decides whether the case should be sent to a grand jury.
Lester and Foster were arrested in a New Year's Eve raid at what Knox County Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones says was the Outlaws biker gang's Knoxville clubhouse.
Lomonaco calls the bust outrageous.
"These two men are innocent," He says. "They didn't do anything wrong. They didn't commit any crimes. It's malicious prosecution as far as I'm concerned."
A preliminary hearing is set for Friday.
The district attorney's office wouldn't comment, saying it would be unethical.
“This is not about the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. It is about two of their members kidnapping and threatening at gunpoint a police officer," Sheriff Jones says. "Do not be misled by a defense attorney’s account. The real facts will come out in court.”
Lomonaco says the bikers are not part of a gang, but rather a motorcycle club that is involved in the community in a positive way.
Source: Defiant to the end - Outlaw bikers refuse bond reduction
Only Volunteer TV was there when Mark Lester and Kenneth Foster appeared in court Tuesday morning.
Defense attorney Phil Lomonaco says the two were offered a reduction of their $3 million dollar bond, if they waived their right to a preliminary hearing and didn't talk to the media about the case. That would have bound the case to the grand jury, something Lomonaco didn't want, because it would prevent him from putting on evidence on behalf of the bikers before the judge decides whether the case should be sent to a grand jury.
Lester and Foster were arrested in a New Year's Eve raid at what Knox County Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones says was the Outlaws biker gang's Knoxville clubhouse.
Lomonaco calls the bust outrageous.
"These two men are innocent," He says. "They didn't do anything wrong. They didn't commit any crimes. It's malicious prosecution as far as I'm concerned."
A preliminary hearing is set for Friday.
The district attorney's office wouldn't comment, saying it would be unethical.
“This is not about the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. It is about two of their members kidnapping and threatening at gunpoint a police officer," Sheriff Jones says. "Do not be misled by a defense attorney’s account. The real facts will come out in court.”
Lomonaco says the bikers are not part of a gang, but rather a motorcycle club that is involved in the community in a positive way.
Source: Defiant to the end - Outlaw bikers refuse bond reduction
