That was very telling to me about the judge. He said he would hear argument on it later, but he ruled a resounding no for the moment. The bail is an atrocious amount and is more in line with what would be set for some NY rock star or Hollyweird type. It isn't appropriate for Durham or the pocketbooks of these parents. Yes, they're well off or at least very comfortable, but $400k is a huge chunk, and totally out of line for this case, especially in view of the amount of bail a murderer recently posted, $50,000. I have a hunch the judge may lower the bail in the future, but not by a whole lot - maybe half at the most.
"The bail is an atrocious amount [...] It isn't appropriate for Durham"
Are the defendent's families from Durham?
You do know that the seriousness of the charge is only one consideration in determining bail, right? In some murder cases it could be $5000 and the defendent wouldn't have any way of paying it except by borrowing the money from someone who breaks legs if people default, and who charges %20 interest a week.
You do know that the judge used to be Durham DA and Nifong's boss, right?