Accused Arsonist Goes Home With No Bail

February 11, 2012 – Santa Barbara

UCSB student Keith Keiper arrested in firebombing attack

Keith Keiper, 23, whose arrest on January 25^th was reported here on charges of felony arson of an inhabited dwelling—specifically the molotov cocktail firebomb attack upon the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Isla Vista Foot Patrol Substation caught on security video recordings—has been released from jail without posting any of the $250,000 bail amount originally set at the time of his booking.

Keiper appeared before Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Clifford Anderson on February 10^th at a bail review hearing, during which Keiper’s father assured the court that Keiper would reside at the family home in Oceanside and follow the advice of mental health providers while avoiding Santa Barbara County except for the purposes of the conduct of his legal defense.  Keiper’s preliminary hearing, according to court records provided to the media, is scheduled for March 8, 2012, at which time Judge Anderson promised “a complete review of the psychiatric treatment he receives between today and then.”

Keiper’s attorney, Jeff Chamblis of the Santa Barbara Public Defender’s Office, in responding to media inquiries, indicated that Keiper’s father “guaranteed that he has adequate medical insurance to provide for immediate psychiatric treatment” of  Keiper.

By way of admonishing Keiper in open court, Judge Anderson said to him “You’ve got a lot of people who are rooting for you, and a lot of people who think you need help, so keep in mind that you’ve got a lot of friends out there.”

The release of Keiper under these terms and conditions is widely recognized as highly unusual in the Santa Barbara Courts, and has generated considerable public comment in the local media.

Photos: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking; Santa Barbara Superior Court

Read More:

Santa Barbara Independent: Isla Vista Firebomber Released Bail-Free

Crimevoice: UCSB Student Arrested for Molotov Cocktail Attack