A spokesperson for Cobb District Attorney Sonya Allen released the following statement Tuesday evening regarding Mahendra Patel, the Cobb County man accused of trying to kidnap a toddler at a north Cobb Walmart:
“Today, a scheduled bond hearing was held for defendant Patel. During that hearing both the Office of the District Attorney, on behalf of the State, and the defense counsel for defendant Patel, presented evidence and arguments as is customary in every bond hearing. During its presentation, the State deferred to the judgment of the court pertaining to bond. As was in the court’s authority, it determined a bond was appropriate.
Bonds are reduced or waived with the approval of the presiding judge and do not reflect any opinions of the presiding judge regarding the guilt or innocence of a defendant. Neither defense attorneys nor the District Attorney have unilateral authority on whether a defendant receives bond. The State did not recommend bond. When the state considers bond, it considers several factors to include the facts of the case and the criminal history of the charged person…