In August of last year, Michael Coye and his daughter Melonie were sentenced to 3 years in jail for money laundering. Since then, Coye's attorney Arthur Saldivar has been trying to get him out of jail - citing his age and the fact that he has diabetes. Today, the plea reached the Court of Appeal and after hearing from both sides, the judges granted him bail. He was able to leave court and go home with his family about an hour and a half ago, and before he got into his vehicle and drove off, 7News got his first reaction to being released after almost 15 months in jail. Here's what he told us:
Daniel Ortiz
"You are going home with your family, what's that like for you after so many months in prison?"
Michael Coye
"It's a great relief to be home, so that I can sit in my chair, eat a nice ham sandwich and drink a cup of coffee. Thanks to KOLBE and all my friends at Tango 5 - have a good day."
Daniel Ortiz
"What's next for you knowing that part of the reason you got release was because the court felt that you had a strong case for appeal."
Michael Coye
"We have won the strong case of appeal that we were on and on February 24th. We are having a new case. We are set again to after what is right."
Arthur Saldivar, attorney
"Their Lordships after hearing the arguments believe that sufficient grounds existed for bail to be granted and here is where we are and certainly we are happy that they saw it our way."
Daniel Ortiz
"How did the attorneys for the FIU respond? I gathered that they may have decided to oppose your application as best as they possibly could."
Arthur Saldivar, attorney
"Yes, there was opposition to bail. Again, this matter is interlocutory to the hearing of the final appeal and as a result of that I wouldn't want to really delved into any detail in regards to the arguments because there will certainly be rehash again on appeal."
Daniel Ortiz
"It surrounds his health conditions and the strength of the case?"
Arthur Saldivar, attorney
"The health conditions could not on its own sustains or justifies the granting of bail. The granting of bail was highly dependent on the strength of the case on appeal. It is an indication that there is sufficient grounds upon which a successful appeal to the conviction and sentence could be mounted."
Daniel Ortiz
"I think one of the Justice of Appeals made the point that you may want to consider making an application on behalf of Melonie Coye. Will you be doing such?"
Arthur Saldivar, attorney
"Of course."
Daniel Ortiz
"Will you foresee that it will result in this same fashion as the success of Mr. Michael Coye?"
Arthur Saldivar, attorney
"There is guarantee, but I believe the suggestion evinces that consideration, certainly."
Daniel Ortiz
"If you should win your appeal does your family intend to sue the government for this entire ordeal you had to gone through?"
Michael Coye
"I can't answer that yet. We have to wait and see what happens first and then we go after that. I think we are good for a couple millions of dollars."
The Court of Appeal granted him bail of $10,000, with the conditions that he must report to the Raccoon Street Police Station every Monday between 9 a.m. and midday. He must return to the Court of Appeal for the February 2014 session, when his appeal case will be heard.
Michael Coye is now 66 years old.
