Actor Jailed On Explosive Device Charges: Prosecutors

ALISO VIEJO, CA — Editor's Note: Federal prosecutors dropped a charge against Stephen Beal on his possession of an unregistered explosive device. He was released Sunday. Update: Charges Dropped, Ex-Boyfriend Of Aliso Viejo Bombing Victim Freed

The ex-boyfriend of the woman killed in an Aliso Viejo building explosion last week remains jailed without bail while he faces one charge of possessing an unregistered incendiary device. U.S. District Judge Karen Scott denied a request from Stephen Beal's attorney that he be released.

After hearing both sides, Monday, Judge Scott agreed with prosecutors that Beal is a flight risk and danger to the community, according to a report in the Orange County Register. He will reappear in court on May 31 when a preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled.

Beal has not been charged in connection with the Tuesday afternoon explosion that killed 48-year-old spa owner Ildiko Krajnyak.

Amy Karlin of the federal Public Defender's Office, Beal's attorney, argued for electronic monitoring and $100,000 bail, saying that the accused would use his Long Beach home as collateral. She also argued that explosive materials for bomb-making were taken from his home, so he would not be a public safety threat.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Takla argued that it was Beal's "knowledge" of bomb-making that made him a real threat, not the access to chemicals used for explosives. Karlin countered that electronic monitoring could reassure authorities that her client was not going to vendors that could supply material for making explosive devices.

Judge Scott asked about Beal's "history of disability claims of mental impairment" due to "lead poisoning" and "how that would affect" his ability to comply with the terms of his release. Scott noted a report that Beal's lead poisoning could "impair his executive functions, whatever that means."

One contributing factor to the March 2008 death of Beal's then-wife, Christine, was lead poisoning, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. Karlin stressed that her client's bail should be based on the charges he faces, "not what's been in the media."

Takla argued Beal "lacked candor" while speaking to investigators. The prosecutor alleged that Beal told investigators he was present when his wife was seriously injured and fell downstairs while they were moving furniture a few weeks before her death, but then denied saying that to "pretrial services" officials who prepared a report for the judge on the bail request.

Beal was also less than forthcoming about his knowledge of the bomb-making materials found in his home, according to Takla. The only thing he lacked was a detonator, which was something he had the experience to make, the prosecutor alleged.

The prosecutor argued that it didn't make sense that Beal had 130 pounds of materials for explosives in his home, which could easily have been sparked by exposure to heat when he claimed he gave up his rocket-making hobby in 2004. And Takla contended that Beal having so much explosive material in his garage showed a "callous disregard" for his neighbors' safety.

Takla also questioned Beal's "disability claims" from his "psychosomatic symptoms and hallucinations in 2004."

Karlin said Beal has been receiving "monthly treatments" for "health concerns."

The judge concluded that Beal represented a flight risk and a potential danger to the community. She noted his "foreign travel experience," and that he had "lacked candor" in statements to investigators.

According to an FBI affidavit filed Thursday in connection with Beal's case in federal court in Santa Ana, the explosion that killed Krajnyak occurred about 1:15 p.m. Tuesday when she used a tool to open a brown cardboard box inside the Magyar Kozmetika spa, which she operated on the first floor of the building at 11 Mareblu. Two other women, who were customers at the day spa, were seriously injured.

Currently, there is no new information concerning the Orange County Sheriff Department's homicide investigation, working in conjunction with the FBI, according to OCSD spokeswoman Carrie Braun.

"The FBI has received over 100 tips regarding the homicide," Braun said. OCSD hopes to have a report regarding the investigation on Tuesday of this week, she said.

Related:

• Charges Dropped, Ex-Boyfriend Of Aliso Viejo Bombing Victim Freed
• Ex-Boyfriend Of Aliso Viejo Explosion Victim Had Explosives : FBI
• Details Emerge On Ex-Boyfriend Of Victim In Aliso Viejo Explosion
• Actor And Boyfriend Of Woman Killed In CA Explosion Arrested
• 'Suspicious' Aliso Viejo Explosion Kills 1, Triggers Evacuations
• Trabuco Canyon Woman Killed In Deadly Explosion

City News Service contributed to this report.

Paige Austin, Patch, Photo