Murder-plot suspect freed when his bond is reduced

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Don Lafferty, an ex-preacher charged with first degree attempted murder and arson, walked out of jail last week after having his bond reduced.

Lafferty had a bond hearing Sept. 17 and a request was made to reduce the bond, which had been set at $750,000. Circuit Judge David Dolan granted the request.

"We argued and objected strenuously against it," Stoddard County prosecutor Russell Oliver said. "I have concerns for public safety and flight issues. He has the means and resources and has already proven to be a flight-risk."

Lafferty, who is accused of conspiring to have his wife murdered in a house fire in January 2013, was arrested in May after fleeing the state. Lafferty had been in Vermont before fleeing to Massachusetts. He was found in a second home owned by his daughter.

Dolan was assigned to hear Lafferty's case by the Missouri Supreme Court after Lafferty had entered a motion requesting a change of judge in August.

As a condition of his release, Lafferty is not allowed to have any contact with his co-defendants or the alleged victim.

Lafferty is scheduled to appear in court again in November for case review. Oliver said he will be requesting a trial date to be set at that time.

"I don't second-guess the decisions of any judge," Oliver explained. "I just have some obvious concerns about [Lafferty] being out."