Wiseman lowered the $100,000 cash bail imposed on Alfred P. Hocog, 18; Ivan Jones Castro, 33; and Joseph Cabrera Camacho Jr., 31, “in view of the changed circumstances, and more specifically the weight of evidence” against the defendants.
On Thursday, the prosecution informed the court that there was no semen found in the DNA samples collected and submitted for tests from the minor victim based on the results that arrived from Hawaii.
The court granted Hocog’s previous motion for bail modification, reducing the bail from $100,000 to $75,000, allowing a 10 percent deposit, and a property bond of the third party’s residence valued at about $65,000.
Wiseman said upon posting a $7,500 cash bail and a $67,500 unsecured appearance bond, Hocog will be released to his father as third-party custodian.
Hocog is placed under house arrest and may only leave the house in the company of his father, the court said.
The court lowered the bail for Castro to $75,000. He can post 10 percent cash deposit and a property bond for the balance so he can be released to a third-party custodian.
Castro was placed under house arrest and may only leave the house in the company of his third-party custodian, the court said.
In view of the absence of DNA evidence, the court said the “weight of evidence against Camacho is even more lacking.”
The court earlier lowered Camacho’s bail to $50,000 cash.
The court now allows Camacho to post $50,000 in unsecured appearance bond and places him under house arrest.
Camacho’s parents, however, cannot serve as third-party custodians because they are either set to leave or have already left for the states for medical treatment.
Camacho cannot produce any other potential third-party custodian, the court said.
He may only leave the house for a certified emergency, Wiseman ordered, adding that police are permitted to check on Camacho “day and night” as well as on the other defendants.
“The court believes that the…conditions will ensure the appearance of defendants, as well as provide the community with a sense of security,” Wiseman said in his written order.
As of 4:30 p.m. yesterday, the defendants were still detained at the Department of Corrections facility.
The cooperation of Angel Jess Santos, 21, led to the arrest of the other defendants.
Last October, Santos changed his not guilty plea and admitted his participation in a conspiracy to commit sexual assault in the first degree in the kidnapping and rape of a 16-year-old Kagman student. He said the three other defendants were also involved.
As part of the plea agreement signed on Aug. 2, 2010, Santos will cooperate with the government in prosecuting the case.
Camacho Jr., Castro and Hocog have denied the charges.
The jury trial for the three defendants is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2011.
The court scheduled Santos’ sentencing for Jan. 25.
Assistant Attorney General Brian D. Gallagher is prosecuting the case, while the defendants are represented by attorneys Richard W. Pierce, David Banes, Joaquin DLG. Torres and Joseph James Norita Camacho.
