Mahendra Patel, who’s dealing with attempted kidnapping and different prices after a mom accused him of attempting to seize her 2-year-old son from her at a Georgia Walmart, has been granted a $10,000 bond after being held in a Cobb County jail for 45 days.
“I’m going to grant this man a bond. He’s entitled to a bond,” Cobb County Superior Court docket Choose A. Gregory Poole stated in courtroom Tuesday. Patel was launched later within the day, his legal professional advised CNN.
Patel’s lawyer, Ashleigh Service provider, introduced her case as to why he ought to be launched by displaying the decide a compilation of safety footage that she subpoenaed from Walmart and shared with media retailers together with CNN. They present the March 18 incident at a Walmart within the metropolis of Acworth, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.
Service provider stated Patel was simply attempting to ensure the boy didn’t fall from a scooter his mom was driving on with him in her lap.
Patel had the help of quite a few individuals who had been in one other room on the courthouse, together with associates, family members and neighbors, the legal professional advised the decide.
The footage is considerably grainy and Patel’s again obscures half of what’s occurring.
Mahendra Patel is seen interacting with a lady at a Walmart. CNN has highlighted a portion of this picture. – The Service provider Regulation Agency P.C.
Prosecutors argued the video exhibits Patel grabbed the kid, he shouldn’t have and he fled after the incident.
Service provider contended Patel didn’t flee the scene, and that he has sturdy ties in the neighborhood, comparable to property possession, a spouse and daughters, volunteering at native nonprofits and being a member of organizations such because the Kiwanis Membership.
Cobb County Chief Assistant District Lawyer Jesse Evans stated Patel was beforehand convicted of a felony for a monetary scheme and was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
“I’m not nervous about that. I don’t consider he poses a threat to the neighborhood,” stated Poole. “The proof from the video, and I received’t touch upon what I feel the video actually exhibits, so far as guilt or innocence. It’s not my job immediately. However the details do present me that he hung round, and I don’t discover that he’s a flight threat primarily based upon what I noticed within the video,” Poole stated.
Caroline Miller, 26, advised police Patel requested for assist discovering Tylenol on the Walmart. She stated Patel tried to seize her 2-year-old son from her, however she pulled the kid again.
CNN has tried to succeed in Miller, who beforehand has spoken publicly concerning the incident, for remark. When reached by cellphone, a member of the family advised CNN that Miller declined to remark.
A grand jury indicted Patel on April 3 on prices of felony try and commit kidnapping, easy assault and easy battery, in line with courtroom paperwork.
Patel, 57, spent his birthday in jail, in line with his legal professional.
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