A Bakersfield bail bondsman, accused of extorting money from clients died Saturday from pancreatic cancer before he could go trial. A funeral was held today, for 66-year-old Joaquin Cruz.
Cruz' attorney had fought for weeks to have his client released from Lerdo jail and have the charges against him dismissed, because of his deteriorating health. "Mr. Cruz was kept there without any medical treatment and that killed him. A man that had a good prognosis with treatment a year or more, died within three months of being arrested and taken to Lerdo jail," said Attorney Arturo Revelo.
Cruz was arrested in November on charges of embezzlement, extortion, and false imprisonment. His lawyer has filed a motion to have those charges dismissed, because of his death.
Five other people, including Cruz' wife face felony charges in the case.
