A judge says a Maine man can be released on $50,000 bail while a murder case against him moves forward.
The ruling came as a result of a Tuesday hearing for 24-year-old Mark Cardilli Jr., who has pleaded not guilty to murder stemming from the death of 22-year-old Isahak Muse in Portland. Cardilli has admitted to fatally shooting Muse during an altercation in March, but has told police he was defending himself.
Prosecutors told the judge they couldn't show Cardilli was at risk of not appearing in court. They still argued he should be held without bail because of the severity of the charges.
Cardilli's defense attorneys made the case their client doesn't have a prior criminal record and presented the judge with letters of support from relatives of Cardilli which highlighted his military service, his lack of a criminal record and strong ties to Maine, all of which the judge said she took into account into allowing bail.
Matthew Nichols, one of Cardilli's attorneys, said the hearing contained "no surprises for us at all" and added that Cardilli's family and friends are happy "they're all going to be back together again."
Conditions of bail for Cardilli include a curfew that limits being out of his residence between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. He is also prohibited from leaving Maine, making contact with relatives of Muse and he will have to wear an electronic tracking device.
Relatives of Muse were also in the courtroom though they declined to speak to the media.
Maine
The latest news from around the state
Cardilli was expected to be released from jail Wednesday. A trial date has not been scheduled.
