Obus acknowledged that there is “a serious risk” that Strauss-Kahn could attempt to flee and that if he made it out of the country, “it might be impossible to get him back.”
The security arrangement, estimated by prosecutors to cost as much as $200,000 a month, would be paid for by Strauss-Kahn, who resigned his post as IMF managing director on Wednesday. Defense attorneys said the security company Stroz Friedberg would be responsible for the monitoring setup.
“I expect that you will be here” for court, Obus said, addressing Strauss-Kahn directly. “I do want to make it very clear: If there is the slightest problem with your compliance,” court officials would quickly alter the bail agreement.”
Earlier in the day, a grand jury indicted Strauss-Kahn on all seven charges he faced after his arrest on May 16, including four felony counts and three misdemeanors.
“These are extremely serious charges, based on the grand jury’s determination that the evidence supports the commission of non-consensual, forced sexual acts,” Manhattan district attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said after the bail hearing.
Prosecutors said Strauss-Kahn was indicted on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, one count of attempted rape in the first degree, one count of sexual abuse in the first degree, one count of unlawful imprisonment in the second degree, one count of forcible touching and one count of sexual abuse in the third degree.
According to the documents filed in court, Strauss-Kahn, 62, trapped the 32-year-old maid in his hotel room on May 14 by shutting the door behind her. He then sexually assaulted her, prosecutors said.
After the bail hearing, Vance emerged from the criminal courthouse to face the sea of flashing cameras, television crews and shouting reporters. Some cameramen climbed step ladders to capture the chaos from a better vantage point. Vance stood at a bank of microphones, speaking about Strauss-Kahn’s indictment. An inscription carved in stone on the wall just behind him read: “Only the just man enjoys peace of mind.”
Obus set a formal arraignment for Strauss-Kahn for June 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Strauss-Kahn will now be able to leave Rikers Island jail, where he has been staying since a judge ordered him held without bail earlier this week.
The former IMF chief arrived in court just after 2:30 p.m. Thursday, wearing a gray suit and a blue shirt with no tie. He was clean-shaven and looked more rested than when he first appeared in court earlier this week. He smiled at his wife and daughter, who were sitting in the front row, and took his place beside William Taylor, his Washington-based attorney, and the rest of his legal team at the defendant’s table. He was surrounded by five law enforcement officers. His expression became steely as he listened to the proceedings.
Loading...
Comments