Garridos plead not guilty to rape, kidnap

15 Sep 2009, 6:54 am   -   Source: AP
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Phillip Garrido and his wife Nancy are both on trial for the abduction of Jaycee Lee Dugard. (File Getty)

Phillip Garrido and his wife Nancy are both on trial for the abduction of Jaycee Lee Dugard. (File Getty)

The man accused of abducting Jaycee Lee Dugard has been given a $30 million bail, after pleading not guilty to 29 charges of kidnapping, rape and false imprisonment.

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Phillip Garrido and his wife have pleaded not guilty to 29 charges of kidnapping, rape and false imprisonment charges and have been held without bail in an El Dorado County jail.

The couple are accused of kidnapping 11-year-old Jaycee Dugard from her home in 1991, then holding her captive in a backyard jumble of tents and sheds for nearly two decades. Authorities say Phillip Garrido fathered two daughters with Dugard.

A judge has set bail at $US30 million for Phillip Garrido, while his wife is being held without bail.

In setting the high amount, Judge Douglas Phimister cited the serious nature of the charges, injuries to the girl and the fact that Phillip Garrido was on parole at the time of the alleged abduction.

Nancy Garrido's did not object to her being held further during Monday's hearing. Phillip Garrido is unlikely to be released because of his parole violations, even if he could raise the money.

He appeared in court with a bandage on his nose and a newly grown grey beard. He and his wife both appeared solemn during the 10-minute hearing, during which the judge granted a request by Phillip Garrido's lawyer, Susan Gellman, for a psychiatric evaluation of her client.

Nancy Garrido's lawyer, Gilbert Maines, reserved the right to request one.

Gellman told the judge several law enforcement agencies have sought to interview her client about other cases they are pursuing.

"He does not consent to be questioned for any purposes," Gellman said.

The judge said Gellman would be notified of any interview efforts.

Outside court, District Attorney Vern Pierson told a throng of media from around the world that investigators were continuing to pursue other leads in the case.

"As of today there are no additional charges ... that's not to say there won't be," he said.

He said Dugard and her children were doing exceptionally well under the circumstances after being reunited with Dugard's mother shortly after the Garridos were arrested August 27.

"Basic human decency mandates honouring the family's request for privacy," he said.

He declined to comment on rumours that Dugard, now 29, has agreed to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Before Monday's hearing, deputy district attorney Trish Kelliher filed a declaration seeking higher bail for both suspects, citing the serious nature of the crimes and saying they should be considered flight risks.

She also said in her court filing that a stun gun was used to subdue the victim when she was kidnapped from a South Lake Tahoe street in 1991.

Both defendants are due back in court for an October 29 hearing.
 

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