It’s quite possible the judge is following standard procedure. I would like to know what her record is dealing with similar suspects. Unfortunately, the media doesn’t report this minor detail. If she’s treating him like everyone else then I don’t have a problem with her decision. I can see why she let him out. If he’s not a flight risk (if he flees, where is he going to go where no one would recognize him?) and has no previous record then it doesn’t make financial sense to jail him, which involves round-the-clock protection, paying for meals and meds, etc. Now, if he’s getting special treatment, then that’s a different story.
She should have disclosed the tie at the very least, recusing herself would have been best. Also, Sandusky was not required to put any money down to get bail, and was not required to wear a monitoring device despite the fact there’s an elementary school behind his house. Dutchcot was way out of line on this one.