Accused Drug Dealer's Bond Upsets Evans

Police and prosecutors say he had five kilos of cocaine in his car. So why did he only have to pay $3,000 to get out of jail?

It was a banner week for Detroit Police, who arrested several men and confiscated more than 23 kilos of cocaine valued at close to $10-million at a home on Asbury Park and in two different cars outside the Splash Bar and Grill on Eight Mile.

One of those arrested was 42-year-old Lawrence Martin of Ypsilanti. Police say five kilos of cocaine with a street value of $2-million were found inside his car.

The problem? He was back on the street in no time, much to the dismay of Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans.

"When you have people with that kind of weight that are clearly distributors, that are people charged with a life offense, it does not sound normal to me that one would be released on a $3,000 bond," said Evans.

"I understand Chief Evans' frustration. We appreciate the hard work that his officers do in getting these criminals off the street," said 36th District Court Chief Judge Marylin Atkins.

Chief Judge Atkins admits the bond looks bad at first glance, especially since Martin's facing a life felony, but she says the court must consider a number of factors: The threat to the public, the flight risk and the seriousness of the charge.

"And I don't mean to downplay that five kilos is not serious," Atkins said.

It is, but the chief judge says she stands by her Chief Magistrate Steve Lockhart, who says Martin has no prior convictions and his attorney, Todd Perkins, guaranteed he's not a flight risk. So, Lockhart followed the recommendation of pre-trial services, which he rarely does.

Martin's attorney tells FOX 2 his client will be at his court date in December.