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Glenn Neasham granted bail pending appeal

Glenn A. Neasham has been granted bail pending appeal. The former insurance agent will avoid starting his jail sentence in April by posting $20,000 bail, reported The Lake County Bee-Record. The now destitute Neasham is planning to pay $2,000 for a bond from money lent to him by a relative. The 52 year old was convicted of felony theft of an elder in October of last year.

The charges were filed following a California Department of Insurance investigation into the 2008 sale of an annuity to Fran Schuber, 83, who was reportedly diagnosed with dementia. Neasham’s legal team claimed Neasham and his staff did not notice any signs of the annuitant's diminished mental state during the transaction.

Neasham's attorney filed a notice of appeal on February 29, 2012, the day Neasham’s request for a new trial was denied and he was sentenced to 300 days, which the judge reduced to 90 days with three years' probation. That sentence was further reduced to 60 days for good behavior. While his lawyer filed an appeal Neasham still owes him over $40,000 and now qualifies for a public defender. The state revoked his insurance license on March 9 and his ability to earn an income has been reduced.

As previously reported, there were several issues regarding the trial including the failure of two jurors to disclose immediate family members suffering from dementia. Others made up their mind regarding the case based upon newspaper accounts. In addition, since Schuber didn’t suffer a loss so there was no theft. In fact, by the time the case went to trial she gained $43,000 and still held the annuity.