$3 Million in Property Raised for Buckey’s Bail

After nearly five years behind bars, Raymond Buckey, the key defendant in the McMartin molestation case, has collected pledges of $3 million in property toward his bail and could be released as early as next week.

The 30-year-old Buckey and his mother, Peggy McMartin Buckey, 62, who is free on $295,000 bail, are charged with 65 counts of molestation and conspiracy involving 11 youngsters who attended their family-run nursery school in Manhattan Beach.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Pounders cut Buckey’s bail in half to $1.5 million just before Christmas, and his attorney, Danny Davis, has been scrambling to amass the necessary property pledges since then.

Under state law, real estate assessed at double the amount of bail may be substituted for cash.

“Twenty-two property owners have put up all their net equity in their homes,” Davis said Wednesday. “We have submitted all of the documentation, the deeds of trust and the proofs of title to the court.”

Pledges Made

Among those pledging property are Davis himself, who posted the McMartin school he now owns; attorney Dean Gits, who represents Peggy McMartin Buckey; film maker Abby Mann, who is planning a movie and book on the case; members of Davis’ and Gits’ legal staffs; friends of the Buckey family, and several other defense attorneys who have been involved in the case. The largest amount, more than $400,000, was pledged by a couple who are friends of the Buckeys.

Davis said he fears that his client will have difficulty adjusting to even limited freedom after so long behind bars.

“He was 25 when he went in (to Men’s Central Jail). He’s 30 now, and he’s not the same person,” he said. “It may be that a person who’s been caged for five years doesn’t know who they are.”

Pounders’ clerk said Wednesday that a bail hearing date will be set next week, when court reconvenes. The McMartin trial, now in its 22nd month, is in recess this week because a juror underwent surgery.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Lael Rubin said the county counsel’s office will be in charge of reviewing the properties involved, double-checking their ownership and appraised value. If the defendant were to flee, the properties would be forfeited to the county.

“The review procedure in this case is no different, because it is the McMartin case, than it would be in any other case where the defense attempts to post equity in real property, instead of cash bail,” she said.

She said there would also have to be discussion in court of conditions for Buckey’s release, including where he would be allowed to go and whom he could associate with.

Buckey was asked recently what he would like to do when he was free, according to his attorney.

“He said he’d like to go to the beach and look at the water,” Davis said.