Posted on 09/14/2007 4:53:48 PM PDT by LdSentinal
If fugitive Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu had not booked a train compartment across from Willow Springs resident Joanne Segale, he might still be on the lam.
The retired Sonora Elementary bus driver, concerned after a night in which her neighbor had not stir-red, alerted officials after peeking through the compartment's window to see a bare-chested man wedged between the door and bed.
She had no idea it was Hsu, who skipped a Sept. 5 court hearing — losing his $2 million bail — to flee the law and a growing media clamor over his past fundraising and business dealings.
Prior to his flight, he mailed a suicide note to several friends and charities, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
After recovering from his still unexplained illness in St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo., Hsu was booked into a Mesa County Jail pending extradition to California to face 15-year-old charges he bilked 20 California investors for $1 million in a Ponzi scheme, according to the Associated Press.
A Colorado judge has set Hsu's new bail at $5 million, but the prosecutor — noting the two-time fugitive's checkbook shows a $6 million balance — wanted a $50 million bail, the AP reported.
Segale's chance role in one of this summer's big political stories has put her, at least briefly, at the center of a whirlwind of media attention.
"It's beginning to be a domino effect right now," said Segale, a 28-year Tuolumne County resident who had never done a media interview before.
Now she's been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, a Colorado NBC affiliate and the New York Daily News — who flew their reporter from Los Angeles to Colorado to speak with her.
As her husband, Jim, said to a recent visitor at their home: "The celebrity is right out there."
"It's been exciting," said Segale. "But it wasn't exciting at the time. I just thought I was dealing with a very sick person."
After spotting Hsu, Segale said she began to knock on the compartment's door and windows, asking: "Are you OK?"
Getting no response, she summoned the train authorities, who after banging on the door and yelling to Hsu, used a crowbar-like instrument to pry open the door.
Hsu was dazed and moaning as the train attendants tried to lift him, she said. The only intelligible words she heard him say were: "Am I in jail?"
But his identity was not suspected by anyone, even then, she said. "No one knew it was Norman Hsu."
After he was taken to paramedics during the train's stop in Grand Junction, Colo., attendants began placing all his belongings into a large bag, Segale said.
As she watched, she noticed a lot of medication in the small compartment, including pills and a medicine bottle scattered on the floor under the bed.
"We've had a lot of things happen on the train, but nothing like this before," said the seasoned railway passenger.
Segale got off with her husband at the next stop, Glenwood Springs, to do what they had set out: watch her daughter compete in a triathlon. She earned third place.
Sounds like someone's already laying the groundwork for an attempted murder defense.
No, and neither is Hillary. But, we can wait. Seriously folks, why would he ask that question?
I sure hope Hsu is smart enough to stay in custody, request security through his lawyer and not post bail. Afraid he will show up dead if he doesn’t, and telling all in court may get him a lighter sentence.
Could be because he expected to be in jail after being on the lam for 15 years from a 3 year jail term!
When Arkancides go bad.
Mother?
Why in the world would a judge allow someone who has a track record of skipping bail to once again receive bail? Shouldn’t Hsu’s record disqualify him from being released on bail again? One doesn't need psychic powers to predict that Hsu will skip bail once he is out of jail. Setting any amount of money for a bond for this man is a meaningless exercise.
You would think so but the law in Colorado prevented the judge from not offering him bail.
Under Colorado law every person accused of a crime has a constitutional right to have some sort of bond set, unless it is a capital murder case.
The DA asked for $50 million as a bond, the Judge went some way in that he set a record bond, five times higher than anything set before in that jurisdiction.
“Now she’s been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, a Colorado NBC affiliate and the New York Daily News — who flew their reporter from Los Angeles to Colorado to speak with her.”
Nobody has flown anybody anywhere to check out the stories of the supposed victims of Norm’s 74 million dollar frauds.
“Get this woman and her family protection from Hillarys’ goons”
Agreed. She’s been outed.
She will probably be MSM smeared and discredited by the end of the month. Her pets and the manufacturer of her underwear will receive more coverage than the important facts in this case. Count on Mr Soros’ news room to Monica this story into boredom and oblivion.
The Colorado district could use $5 million...
Who knows, maybe the author is providing her cover from the Hit-lery squad.
He sent a suicide note to media personalities, blaming the the Obama campaign for the exposure of the scandal and apologizing to those candidates that might be harmed by his contributions. It’s almost too funny, it kind of sounds like an Inspector Clouseau movie.
Has Good Morning America or the Today show had her on yet? ;-)
bump & a ping
HSU HILLARY IN ‘08!
We have a winner!
HILLARY - A HSU-IN ‘08
This guy was hit. Hillarycoms or Chicoms. Hsu is in grave danger.
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