Biofem figure loses bid to reduce her bail

May 4, 2001

By GREG HARDESTY
The Orange County Register


A judge Thursday kept a suspect in the Biofem Inc. slaying-conspiracy case locked up on $250,000 bail, despite his doubts that such a hefty bail would stand.

Valerie Kesler, 37, indicted Wednesday on charges of transporting and possessing two illegal assault weapons, shielded her face from cameras as she appeared before Superior Court Judge Ronald P. Kreber.

Her arraignment was postponed until May 18. Bail could be adjusted before then if her lawyers can make their case before a judge.

Kesler, of Newport Beach, is the former mistress and lab assistant of the late Dr. Larry C. Ford, believed to have masterminded the Feb. 28, 2000, attempt to kill his business partner, James Patrick Riley.

A getaway driver, Dino D'Saachs, has been convicted in the attack, which occurred outside Biofem headquarters in Irvine. The shooter remains at large.

Kesler was found in possession of an Uzi given to her by Ford on the day he committed suicide -- three days after Riley was shot. Police also found an assault rifle she had bought for Ford in her home.

Thursday, Kesler's attorneys fought to get bail reduced to $10,000 -- the standard amount, they argued, for similar charges against people with no serious criminal records.

"This is punitive bail," said Deputy Public Defender Donald Rubright, Kesler's attorney.

Kreber said he wasn't very familiar with the Biofem case and agreed to keep the bail at $250,000.

John Kremer, another Kesler attorney, said it wouldn't be easy for Kesler to post bail.

Deputy District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh told Kreber that Kesler posed a threat to the community and that there is a risk she could flee.

James Riley's wife, Pam, raised an arm in victory as Kesler left the courtroom. Her husband did not attend.

So where does this bring the tally to?

Stubbs,
Unknown, i have never seen any Roberti-roo's prosecution stats. I do here about a couple every year though.
It's ironic that they have nothing on her for the murder for hire plot. But she will get 9 years in the pen becuase somebody didnt register their AW's.
I think MOST AW prosectutions are incidental to another felony, like this case.