This browser does not support the Video element.
The Richardson father charged with murdering his adopted 3-year-old daughter has been granted a lower bond.
Wesley Mathews is in jail for capital murder and other counts related to the disappearance and cover-up of 3-year-old Sherin Mathews’ death.
Investigators say Wesley first reported his adopted daughter missing after claiming he forced her to stand outside in the middle of the night as punishment for not drinking milk. He then later claimed she choked on her milk and died while he tried to help her.
Sherin's body was found in a drainage pipe 15 days after she was reported missing. The official cause of death was listed as homicidal violence.
Wesley has been in jail since he was indicted on the three additional charges last October. Given some of the testimony in court on Wednesday, he’ll likely remain in jail until he goes to trial on all four charges sometime next year.
Appearing in hand cuffs and jail stripes, Wesley sat quietly and emotionless as his lawyer argued for a bond reduction on Wednesday.
"He was complying with his conditions of bond the first go around,” said Rafael De La Garza, Wesley’s lawyer. “There's no specific evidence that he's a threat to anybody else. There's no specific evidence that the court has that he's a flight risk."
Wesley was initially free on a $250,000 bond for child abandonment before his lie was exposed and he was charged with three additional counts, including capital murder.
Prosecutors told the judge again on Wednesday that Wesley lied to investigators from the beginning about what happened to Sherin.
The lead Richardson detective took the stand saying it was the most unique case of his career. He said Wesley’s lies made the investigation even more complex.
Defense attorney Pete Schulte, who's not involved with the case, says bonds are set based on a promise to appear in court.
"This wasn't a random act against somebody in the public. This was his own daughter. So, it's really limited and I think that's what the judge is going to consider,” Schulte said. “He was out on bond before, and he hasn't done anything to be violet toward the community while he was out on bond. And that's what really the judge is going to look at. Is he going to come to court and is society going to be protected?"
Dallas County Judge Amber Givens-Davis lowered Wesley’s bond from $2.5 million to $1.35 million.
"It's an unfortunate set of circumstances that occurred,” De La Garza said. “And I know Mr. Mathews looks forward to letting people know how he feels about everything when we have our trial."
Wesley’s attorney says he respects the judge's decision on the new bond amount and will see if his client can make that amount.
There was testimony in court that it was difficult for Wesley to make the initial $250,000 bond so it seems unlikely that he'd be able to make a bond that's now more than a million dollars more.
The DA’s office does not plan to seek the death penalty.
Sini Mathews remains in the Dallas County Jail as well. Her bond is set at $250,000. She's charged with child abandonment for her role in Sherin's death and disappearance.
In January, both Sini and Wesley voluntarily gave up their parental rights forever for their 4-year-old biological daughter.