3 Held in Cross-Burning Released Without Bail

Three men accused of throwing a burning cross at the home of an interracial family in Shadow Hills were released from jail Wednesday, but will be electronically monitored, authorities said.

San Fernando Superior Court Commissioner Richard Brand ordered the release of Christopher Fraley, 19, of Encino; Daniel Claxton, 21, of Glendale; and Justin Berkowitz, 18, of Arleta on their own recognizance at a bail review hearing, over the objection of a prosecutor who had asked for $45,000 bail for each man, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Under the supervised release program, the defendants have to wear electronic monitoring devices on their wrists or ankles, the district attorney’s office said.

Fraley, Claxton and Berkowitz have been charged with burning a cross with the intent to terrorize, a felony punishable by a maximum of seven years in prison, according to police.

The incident happened on the night of Nov. 18. Neighbors and city officials rallied behind the popular interracial family and offered rewards totaling $21,000 for information leading to a conviction in the case. The suspects were arrested after they allegedly told others about the deed.

Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 17.