This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/02/alleged-new-york-madam-bail
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Alleged New York madam seeks reduced bail to look after ill son | Alleged New York madam seeks reduced bail to look after ill son |
| (10 months later) | |
| The Scottish-born alleged New York madam has launched a fresh bid for freedom to avoid the "terror" of being separated from her seriously ill son, her lawyer has said. | The Scottish-born alleged New York madam has launched a fresh bid for freedom to avoid the "terror" of being separated from her seriously ill son, her lawyer has said. |
| On Friday, attorneys for Anna Gristina filed court papers asking for compassion and a lowering of a $2m bond so that the accused vice queen can care for her nine-year-old child, who has developed a heart murmur. | On Friday, attorneys for Anna Gristina filed court papers asking for compassion and a lowering of a $2m bond so that the accused vice queen can care for her nine-year-old child, who has developed a heart murmur. |
| It is the latest attempt by the 44-year-old to end her stay at New York's notorious Rikers Island prison, where she is being held on charges of promoting prostitution. | It is the latest attempt by the 44-year-old to end her stay at New York's notorious Rikers Island prison, where she is being held on charges of promoting prostitution. |
| Gristina, originally from Kirkliston, near Edinburgh, is accused of masterminding a high-end call girl service operating out of an apartment in Manhattan's well-heeled Upper East Side. | Gristina, originally from Kirkliston, near Edinburgh, is accused of masterminding a high-end call girl service operating out of an apartment in Manhattan's well-heeled Upper East Side. |
| It is claimed that over a period of 15 years, the alleged brothel boss arranged for wealthy clients to meet up with prostitutes, who charged up to $1,500 (£960) for their services. | It is claimed that over a period of 15 years, the alleged brothel boss arranged for wealthy clients to meet up with prostitutes, who charged up to $1,500 (£960) for their services. |
| It the process she amassed a fortune of $15m in personal profit, much of which has been squirrelled away, prosecutors have argued. | It the process she amassed a fortune of $15m in personal profit, much of which has been squirrelled away, prosecutors have argued. |
| But a succession of defence attorneys have argued that the mother of four does not have "two nickels to rub together" let alone the $2m needed to spring her from Rikers Island. | But a succession of defence attorneys have argued that the mother of four does not have "two nickels to rub together" let alone the $2m needed to spring her from Rikers Island. |
| They have also complained that others accused in the case have had bail set at a far lower level. | They have also complained that others accused in the case have had bail set at a far lower level. |
| But it is her son's medical condition that has caused Gristina to have become increasingly anxious about her time behind bars, according to her lawyer Norm Pattis. | But it is her son's medical condition that has caused Gristina to have become increasingly anxious about her time behind bars, according to her lawyer Norm Pattis. |
| Speaking on his way to visit his client on Saturday, Pattis said she was "devastated" at being away from nine-year-old Nick. | Speaking on his way to visit his client on Saturday, Pattis said she was "devastated" at being away from nine-year-old Nick. |
| Furthermore, he suggested that the youngster's condition could be aggravated by the separation from his mother. | Furthermore, he suggested that the youngster's condition could be aggravated by the separation from his mother. |
| "He certainly isn't thriving in her absence," he said. | "He certainly isn't thriving in her absence," he said. |
| Referring to the latest attempt to free his client, Pattis added: "We have asked the court to consider her son's medical condition as a factor so she can avoid the terror that any mother would face having heard that their son has a serious medical condition". | Referring to the latest attempt to free his client, Pattis added: "We have asked the court to consider her son's medical condition as a factor so she can avoid the terror that any mother would face having heard that their son has a serious medical condition". |
| He is asking the court that Gristina's bail be lowered to around $100,000 so that she can be freed on bond. A hearing in the case is due to take place on Thursday in a lower Manhattan courtroom. | He is asking the court that Gristina's bail be lowered to around $100,000 so that she can be freed on bond. A hearing in the case is due to take place on Thursday in a lower Manhattan courtroom. |
| guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am |