Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, August 08, 2008
Book released from jail
A La Crosse woman accused of letting her newborn daughter die was released from jail today after a family friend used his apartment building as collateral to cover the bond.
Indra Book, 19, who faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse in the Aug. 17, 2007 death of the infant, was being held on a $50,000 cash bond.
La Crosse County Circuit Judge Scott Horne allowed Book's release on $10,000 cash and a $40,000 property bond.
This marks the first time a property bond has been accepted in La Crosse County. But, Horne said, the process is regularly used in other counties in the state.
For much of the past week, the court and county corporation counsel have been working through the process and trying to assure that the apartment owner, George Keith Brown, had more than $40,000 in equity in the building.
In court today, Deputy Corporation Counsel David Lange told Horne that a conservative estimate done by an assessor showed there was sufficient equity.
Based on that assessment, Horne allowed Book to be released.
If Book fails to appear for further court hearings or violates conditions of her bail, the bond could be revoked and the county could foreclose on Brown’s property, Horne said in court.
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