No Reduction of Bail in Pumpkin Case
An Orange County judge on Friday refused to reduce the $250,000 bail for a Buena Park homeowner whose murder conviction for killing a teenage prankster was tossed out earlier this year.
Defendant Peter Solomona requested that his bail be dropped to $50,000 while he awaits his new trial. Defense Atty. Mark Werksman said Solomona did not pose a flight risk.
But Superior Court Judge Nancy Wieben Stock rejected the request, citing the previous judge’s bail order and a law that sets a minimum $250,000 bail for murder charges.
Solomona was convicted last year of second-degree murder for shooting a 17-year-old high school student whom he suspected of stealing his plastic-pumpkin display. A judge ordered a new trial, saying he gave inadequate jury instructions.
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