RICO Bret Michael William, 32, was charged with assault, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and disturbing the peace, after he chased his co-worker with a machete.
William appeared before Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho for a bail hearing on Friday morning.
The judge initially imposed a $50,000 cash bail for William’s release but later granted the defendant’s request to be released to his wife, as third-party custodian, on a $50,000 unsecured bond.
William was represented by Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig who requested a bail modification on behalf of his client. He said his client has been hired by another company and will start by Monday.
Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds appeared for the government and opposed the request to modify bail citing the seriousness of the allegations.
A witness told police that on the morning of Sept. 5, an argument broke out between William and a co-worker at a warehouse.
The argument turned into a fight between the two but was broken up by their co-workers and the arrival of their boss, the witness said.
The victim told police that William told him to grab food at a restaurant, but he refused which upset William. An argument then ensued.
Later, the victim said he and William met in the parking area and both of them were carrying knives. He said William stepped away and grabbed a machete from his truck. William then approached the victim and attempted to strike him with the machete.
The victim said his co-workers helped protect him from William who left in his vehicle.
Police obtained video footage of the incident from the company’s security camera. After reviewing it, police arrested William.
