The bond for Stephen Lester, charged with the felony murder of Edward Glenn, was lowered from $2.75 million to $99,500 by Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern at the request of defense attorney Dan Ripper during a Monday hearing.
Because of the charges, Lester will not be released but having the bail below $100,000 will allow him to work in an inmate work program.
Lester is charged with felony murder, especially aggravated robbery and criminal conspiracy. His co-defendant, Carmisha Lay, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, especially aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence, and false reports.
According to police, the victim's body was discovered at Ms. Lay's home. Prosecutor Lance Pope said, according to her text message records, she and Lester had been discussing the robbery and murder.
However, attorney Ripper said the number Ms. Lay had been talking on was never identified as that of Lester. He said even after Lester was arrested, there were incoming and outgoing calls from that number, showing that Lester's was not the only one with access to that particular cell phone.
He also pointed out that none of the text messages identified Lester by name, and none of his DNA was found at the crime scene.
Police also said Ms. Lay changed her story several times. At first, she said she had nothing to do with the incident, even though the body was found in her house. She later said she had called the victim to her house so that Lester could rob him.
Lester has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. The trial date is set for April 8.