Attorneys Seek Settlement in A’s Bandit Bank Case

Attorneys in the so-called “A’s Bandit” case said Wednesday that they will meet with a federal judge in an attempt to reach a settlement with accused bank robber David W. Malley.

U.S. District Court Judge Judith N. Keep asked the prosecutor and Malley’s defense lawyer to meet with U.S. District Court Judge Earl B. Gilliam to discuss a plea bargain.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Patrick O’Toole and defense attorney David H. Bartick agreed.

Keep made her request after O’Toole told the judge he wanted a delay in the Oct. 16 trial because he had a conflict with another case he is prosecuting.

Bartick said in an interview that the number of charges in the case forces him to at least discuss the possibility of a settlement with prosecutors.

Malley, 21, is charged with 28 counts of bank robbery and is believed to be responsible for the string of robberies attributed to the “A’s Bandit.” The name was given to the robber because he wore an Oakland A’s baseball hat in several of the early robberies.

In Wednesday’s hearing, Keep also granted Malley bail in the amount of $500,000. While previously being held without bond, Malley was housed with maximum-security prisoners.