Judge Berman Denies Epstein Bail July 18, 2019
Federal Judge Richard Berman denies Jeffrey Epstein's bail application after an extraordinary hearing at which victim Courtney Wild addressed the court. Epstein is ordered held without bail until trial.
People Involved
On July 18, 2019, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman denied Jeffrey Epstein’s bail application, ordering him held without bail pending trial. Epstein’s defense had proposed a comprehensive bail package including a .5 million bond, surrender of passports, private security, and GPS monitoring.
Judge Berman found the proposal insufficient given the evidence: Epstein’s flight risk (demonstrated by the foreign passport found in his safe), the serious nature of the charges, and the risk to the community. The hearing was notable for including a victim statement from Courtney Wild, who addressed the court directly urging denial of bail.
The bail denial meant Epstein would remain at the Metropolitan Correctional Centerwhere he died on August 10, 2019.