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Attorney facing drug charges released on bail

By Juliet Leyba Daily Planet Staff
Saturday November 04, 2000

Berkeley resident Michael Moore, who has been in police custody for seven days was released Friday on bail, said his attorney Robert Beles. 

Moore was arrested and booked on suspicion of nine felony drug and weapons charges last Friday at his home in the Berkeley hills following a two month investigation conducted by the Oakland Police Department Narcotics Division. 

Friday, Superior Court Judge Marshall Whitley ruled that Moore was not a flight risk or a threat to the community. Marshall reduced his bail to $290,000 and approved a property bond on Moore’s $580,000 house. 

Beles said that his office has been inundated with calls from friends, fellow attorneys and supporters in the past week and is pleased that Moore is free to return to his home. 

“I hope he goes out and has a good dinner and relaxes.” 

Moore was diagnosed with Lou Gherig’s disease in 1997. The disease is currently in remission. Beles said Moore has been using medical marijuana to ease his muscular pain and discomfort. 

Beles said Moore is an avid gun collector and that the weapons found in his residence are registered to him and legal.  

Blair Thomas, attorney for the District Attorney’s office, declined to comment on the case. 

The next court date is set for Nov. 17. Beles expects the legal process to take a minimum of six months.