U.S. Judge Signs Release Order for Israeli Accused in Bombing

A federal judge signed a release order Wednesday for accused bomber Rochelle Ida Manning, clearing the way for her freedom by Thanksgiving Day.

Manning, 48, an Israeli citizen, has been in custody since June, awaiting trial for the mail bombing death of a Manhattan Beach secretary who died in 1980 after she opened a package addressed to her boss.

Manning, her husband, Robert, who is a fugitive on the occupied West Bank and who is an associate of radical Israeli Rabbi Meir Kahane, and millionaire Hawthorne real estate dealer William Ross have all been charged with murder in the case. Trial for both Ross and Rochelle Manning is set for Dec. 19 in federal court in Los Angeles.

Bail Denied

Four times this year, federal judges had denied bail to Manning, holding that she posed a threat to others or could flee before trial. Federal prosecutors argued that she could rejoin her husband and find a safe haven in Israel, which does not extradite its citizens for trial in foreign courts.

Then on Nov. 16, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that bail be set. U.S. District Judge Dickran Tevrizian, who had earlier refused to allow bail, ordered Manning held in lieu of $500,000 bail. On Monday, the appellate justices again intervened, ordering bail reduced to $150,000.

Manning’s sister secured bail, posting her home in the San Fernando Valley as security, and U.S. Magistrate George H. King signed the release order Wednesday.

Under the release order, Manning will be required to wear an electronic device that will alert authorities if she leaves her sister’s home. She has already surrendered her passport.

Her fight for release was similar to that of co-defendant Ross, who repeatedly was denied bail on the theory he might flee. When the 9th Circuit judges ordered bail set at $1 million, Ross pledged property and was released on Oct. 20.

Fingerprints Found

Ross was involved in a bitter real estate dispute with a Manhattan Beach businesswoman, according to federal prosecutors. He allegedly arranged for the bomb to be sent to the woman’s offices and secretary Patricia Wilkerson was killed when she opened the package.

Rochelle and Robert Manning’s fingerprints were found on the bomb package and an accompanying letter, authorities said. In addition, authorities say they have traced distinctive wrapping for the bomb to a firm run by an associate of Robert Manning.

Both Robert and Rochelle Manning have also been identified by federal authorities as suspects in the 1985 bombing death in Santa Ana of Alex Odeh, a pro-Palestinian activist. No arrests have been made in that case.

Al Rubin, one of Manning’s lawyers, said she will spend Thanksgiving with her 2-year-old daughter. Manning has seen the child only once since her arrest.

“I’m glad to see her out,” Rubin said. “She can spend the holiday with her family and prepare her defense.”