LOS ANGELES — A man charged with threatening to kill the president was ordered Monday to get psychiatric help.
A federal judge set Charles Madrid's bail at $225,000 and ordered that he be confined to his home if he posts bail and to wear an electronic monitor.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Margaret Nagle rejected prosecutors' request to keep the 50-year-old radio technician jailed, saying that while the alleged threat must be taken seriously she "didn't see any action" taken by Madrid. She also prohibited him from possessing weapons.
Madrid, of Pacoima, was arrested last week after a former girlfriend told police he threatened President Bush's life during a phone conversation.
"Committing this murder is not a murder, it's making a difference for the people," court papers say the former girlfriend, Wanda O'Hickey-Way, quoted Madrid as saying. "I'm going to kill who needs to be killed."
When police arrived at his home, and one officer asked Madrid, "Do you want to kill the president?"
"Yes," Madrid replied.
He was charged with knowingly and willfully threatening to take the life of the president.
A doctor who evaluated Madrid's mental state concluded that he was not mentally ill "but has a severe anger problem," according to a court affidavit.
Madrid's lawyer said the threats were not real, but part of escalating tension between his client and O'Hickey-Way. Deputy Federal Public Defender Richard David Goldman said the two have "a long, tortured and difficult relationship."
Madrid lives with his mother, Rachel Madrid-Hall. She conceded Madrid has a temper, but said "he's not a maniac. I think he was speaking out of frustration."
She said he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis two years ago, his job at a radio station was cut back to part time and his bicycle — his only means of transportation — was stolen recently.
"Sometimes life just kicks you in the teeth," Madrid-Hall said. She said her son blamed President Bush for the war in Iraq and the bad economy, among other things.


