Lawyer seeks reduction of bail for husband of missing woman
An inmate accused of trying to destroy evidence in the disappearance of his wife sought a reduction in bail Wednesday as a small, independent search for the woman was conducted.
Andre Sean McDonald, 40, was arrested March 3 for tampering with evidence in the case of Andreen Nicole McDonald, 29, according to authorities.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said previously that Andreen McDonald, who was reported missing March 1 when she failed to show up for both work and the gym, is believed to be dead.
After McDonald’s disappearance, Salazar said her husband Andre allegedly tore apart a receipt detailing the purchase of a shovel, an ax, heavy-duty trash bags, work gloves, two 5-gallon containers of gasoline and a burn pit.
“It led us to believe that these were implements that were going to be used to dispose of a body,” Salazar said previously.
McDonald’s attorney John Convery, who has urged the public not to rush to judgment, filed a motion for reduced bail Wednesday in the 399th District Court. McDonald’s bail had been set at $2 million.
His attorney said in the motion that the Bexar County Bond Schedule, agreed to by district court judges, recommends the appropriate bond amount for a thirddegree felony be set between $5,000 and $15,000.
“Very few people could produce the outlandish amount of money to secure pretrial release on $2,000,000.00 bond; MAJ McDonald, is no exception,” the motion states.
Convery wrote that setting McDonald’s bond at this amount was an abuse of direction because the sum of money exceeds the necessary amount to ensure his presence at future legal proceedings.
“As it stands, Mr. McDonald — though not convicted of any wrongdoing — is being held by the state and punished via bond,” the motion states.
Convery also argued that McDonald, a major in U.S. Air Force reserve, is not a flight risk because he owns a residence in San Antonio, and that he can be directed to live on base. His daughter attends grammar school here as well, according to the motion. She is currently in the care of a relative, authorities have said.
“No reason exists to believe that Mr. McDonald, an Air Force reservist, will attempt to flee,” the motion states.
As of Wednesday, after a week of periodic searches including around Joint Base San AntonioCamp Bullis, authorities have yet to find Andreen McDonald.
No other searches have been scheduled by the sheriff’s office, but two women who feel a drive to find the businesswoman continued the search on their own Wednesday.
Malinda Pennell, a retired military police officer, spent hours Wednesday with a friend searching around Military Drive just north of Loop 1604.
“What we’re looking for is an area that’s been disturbed,” she said, “a path that looks like it’s been walked or ... unfortunately, something dragged.”
While she still has hopes to find Andreen McDonald alive, the amount of time that’s passed is a concern to Pennell.
Regardless, she and several other concerned citizens have been organizing search efforts via social media.
Wednesday’s Facebook outage hampered her efforts as she tried to rally people interested in joining the search. She said she plans to try organizing another search for Saturday.
Deputy Johnny Garcia, a BCSO spokesman, said each area authorities have searched was examined because of evidence that led investigators there.
He raised no objection to the civilian efforts but said should search parties come across evidence or human remains, they are asked to notify first responders.
Pennell agreed, saying that 911 would be their first call if they find anything.
“Absolutely, we would because it’s respect at that point for Andreen,” Pennell said.
The only thing she asks for now is a thumbs up or down from the sheriff’s office if they’re potentially searching the right area.
“I still had hope that maybe there was a chance she was injured really bad and we could get her some help, but I think we know the outcome at this point,” Pennell said.