The State - News from July 21, 1988

Bail was set at $1 million for a bearded church caretaker charged with kidnaping three Sacramento-area girls, including one who was imprisoned for 44 days in a tiny dungeon-like space under a church altar. In the first court appearance since his arrest Monday, Kenneth Michel, 32, who is deaf, nodded in response to questions Sacramento Municipal Judge John Shroud asked through a sign language interpreter. Michel could be sentenced to as much as 35 years in prison if convicted. Deputy Dist. Atty. Ken Peterson asked that Michel be held without bail on the grounds that he is a danger to the community. The judge said he would rule on that request Aug. 9. A deputy public defender was appointed to represent Michel, who did not enter pleas. “I only have $1,400,” Michel said, when asked if he had funds to hire his own attorney. “That’s not enough,” Shroud said. All three victims have been reunited with parents.