House eyes no bail for poor litigants.
The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading the proposed Poor Litigants Equalization Act of 2008 which seeks to grant poor litigants exemption from posting bail if charged with non-capital offenses for the first time. Considered as one of the most significant justice reform...

Fugitive held without bail; City man is wanted in N.Y.
Byline: Gary V. Murray WORCESTER - A city man who is wanted in New York and was taken into custody Wednesday morning on Wyman Street by members of a fugitive task force was ordered held without bail yesterday in Central District Court. Michael Cruz, 27,...

Man allegedly tried to murder wife; Judge sets bail at $50,000 cash.
Byline: Anna L. Griffin LEOMINSTER - A Leominster man is being held on $50,000 cash bail, or $500,000 with surety bond, after being arraigned in Leominster District Court Thursday afternoon on charges including assault with intent to murder and kidnapping. Wilfredo Fernandez, 44, 9 Glenwood...

No bail for suspect in fatal stabbing; Worcester man held at Bridgewater facility.
Byline: Gary V. Murray WORCESTER - A 22-year-old Worcester man charged in the fatal stabbing of a woman he did not know was ordered held without bail at his arraignment yesterday in Worcester Superior Court. Benjamin L. Makinen of 23 Stoneland Road allegedly entered a...

Man charged in DCF confrontation; $1,500 bail, no contact order for allegedly striking girl, 12, with belt.
Byline: Gary V. Murray WORCESTER- Bail was set at $1,500 cash yesterday for a Penn Avenue man accused of striking his 12-year-old daughter with a belt, then refusing to turn her and her two siblings over to the state Department of Children and Families. Javier...

Getaway taxi gone, robbery suspect nabbed on run; $100,000 bail set for Worcester man charged in Digital theft.
Byline: Steven H. Foskett Jr. WORCESTER - A city man was arrested and charged with robbing the Digital Federal Credit Union on Shrewsbury Street yesterday afternoon after his unwitting getaway driver realized his taxicab was being used for that purpose and drove away, police said. ...

REGIONAL DIGEST.
COLUMN: REGIONAL DIGEST Man held on $250,000 in child rape case ORANGE - An Athol man is being held on $250,000 cash bail after being arraigned yesterday in a yearlong child rape investigation. James P. Martin, 32, of 211 Freedom St. was arraigned...

HERE IN NEW ENGLAND.
COLUMN: HERE IN NEW ENGLAND Pastor of Brazilian church charged with raping child MILFORD - The pastor of a Brazilian church in Milford has been charged with raping a child in her congregation. Ana Almeida was released on $500 bail and placed under...

Teen held in bomb making.
Byline: Priyanka Dayal NORTHBORO - An Ashland teenager is being held on $50,000 cash bail after police discovered the ingredients to make a bomb at his residence, a facility for young adults with mental health issues. Timothy Allen Arbour Jr., 18, lives at the Bridge...

Where is Ben-Ami Kadish?
Where is Ben-Ami Kadish? The New Jersey resident who was part of the Jonathan Pollard spy network was arrested last April 22 for spying for Israel. He was released that same day on $300,000 bail and was due to return to court on May 22. But he did not...