BELL CANYON : Man Guilty of Rape Granted Appeal Bail

A 70-year-old Bell Canyon man convicted of raping a cleaning woman can remain free during his appeal if he posts $500,000 bail, a Ventura County Superior Court judge decided Friday.

Judge Charles R. McGrath said Thomas Savas is not a danger to the community and is not likely to flee. He also said the main point Savas has raised in his appeal--that he had incompetent counsel at his trial--is a substantive issue, the third requirement before an appeal bond can be set.

Savas, who had been free on bail after his conviction in August, was taken into custody Feb. 22 after McGrath sentenced him to three years in prison. Richard C. Loy, the attorney who has taken over the case, said Savas probably will be able to post enough property to cover the bail by early next week.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Mary C. Peace said she was surprised the judge granted appeal bail to a convicted rapist.

“I’ve never had that happen after a rape conviction,” she said. “I was upset by it. I don’t believe there was a substantial issue on appeal, especially since the same judge heard the same issues on a motion for a new trial and denied it.”

Savas was convicted of raping a 30-year-old illegal alien who had come to clean his house in January, 1990. Loy said the attorney botched the case by letting McGrath decide it instead of a jury and failing to explore evidence that the 70-year-old was partly impotent.