Govendo, who said Saluta is not a flight risk, will again hear this morning the motion for bail modification filed by Assistant Public Defender Douglas Hartig, on behalf of Saluta.
Saluta has been detained since Sept. 22, 2010 after he voluntarily surrendered to authorities.
Yesterday, Govendo heard the oral testimony of Juliet Saluta, 38, who was suggested as a third party custodian for her husband.
Mrs. Saluta said she and their five young children are staying in a $100 a month dwelling in Chalan Piao.
Mrs. Saluta told the court that her cousin and friends are helping them paying the rent.
Hartig said Mr. Saluta has no prior arrest or conviction, and should be allowed to post an unsecured bond.
Govendo earlier lowered Mr. Saluta’s bail from $10,000 to $5,250.
Attorney General’s Office trial assistant Tiberius Mocanu, together with Chief Prosecutor Michael Ernest, argued that Mrs. Saluta is an “inappropriate” third party custodian for her husband.
Mocanu noted that there was only one mobile phone that could ensure monitoring of Mr. Saluta.
Govendo said Mr. Saluta is not a flight risk, and suggested that Mrs. Saluta’s brother-in-law Robert Buenavista be considered by both parties as co-joint third party custodian.
Mrs. Saluta told the court that Buenavista had been providing her transportation so she could attend her husband’s court hearing.
Govendo remanded Mr. Saluta to the custody of the Department of Corrections after the hearing.
The Saluta couple have been unemployed for years now.
