$1 million bail cut in murder case

By Matt Pordum

Friday, Jan. 7, 2005 | 8:24 a.m.

The bail for a 34-year-old woman who allegedly convinced a friend to kill the man she believed burglarized her was reduced from $1 million to $100,000 on Thursday by District Judge Valorie Vega.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said afterward that he didn't believe Julia Jarrell could afford the $100,000 bail, but her family was trying to raise the money.

Kane said due to the uncertainty about whether Jarrell will post bond, her trial will be postponed. She had been set to go to trial Jan. 31, but a new trial date is to be set on Jan. 27.

Jarrell is charged with murder with a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Jarrell's friend Ramon Iniguez previously testified that he shot 26-year-old Marc Somers at Jarrell's behest on May 4 in the parking lot of a nightclub.

Jarrell allegedly believed Somers stole a plasma television, a diamond ring, $2,500 cash and a handgun from her apartment, and Iniguez testified that she asked him to take Somers hostage until he returned her property.

Iniguez was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison last year for second-degree murder and consecutive sentence of six to 15 years in prison for second-degree kidnapping for the May 2004 killing of Somers in the parking lot of the Ice Las Vegas nightclub near Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane.

Iniguez pleaded guilty to the charges as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors. The agreement required Iniguez to testify against Jarrell.