Municipal judge won’t lower bail for Bobbitt

By Matt Pordum

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004 | 9:19 a.m.

Las Vegas Chief Municipal Judge Toy Gregory on Monday rejected requests to release John Wayne Bobbitt on his own recognizance or to lower his bail, so Bobbitt will remain jailed on two counts of domestic violence.

Bobbitt, 37, was arrested after police allegations that he fought with his wife and 14-year-old stepson at their northwest Las Vegas home.

During an arraignment before Gregory in which Bobbitt appeared via a television broadcast from the jail, Bobbitt's attorney, Barry Levinson, unsuccessfully argued that Bobbitt was not a flight risk so no bail amount was necessary, but Gregory kept Bobbitt's bail amount at $20,264.

On Wednesday Bobbitt's stepson called Metro Police about 1:15 a.m. and alleged that he and his mother, Joanna Ferrell, were hit by Bobbitt during a scuffle earlier that evening inside their home, according to the arrest report.

The fight started after the teen was angered when he found a drawer full of sex toys in the bedroom of his mother and stepfather, police said. Police allege Bobbitt held down his 14-year-old stepson and struck him in the face several times with a closed fist. Ferrell was knocked down during the fight, according to the police report.

Bobbitt was arrested and charged with two counts of domestic battery.

Levinson said Gregory scheduled a hearing for Sept. 7 at which Bobbitt would either enter a plea agreement or set a trial date.

Levinson said because of a 2002 case of domestic violence against Bobbitt, he is certain that Bobbitt will have to serve at least three months in jail if he is convicted.

In May 2002 Bobbitt was arrested on a domestic battery charge and booked into Las Vegas City Jail on allegations that he assaulted Ferrell in Las Vegas less than two months after they were married.

This time, "if they find him guilty he will do jail time," Levinson said. Sun reporter

Heather Rawlyk contributed to this story.