A Chula Vista judge denied bail on Nov. 4 for Larry Millete, husband of Chula Vista mother of three Maya Millete who was accused for her murder last month.
Maya disappeared nearly 10 months ago on Jan. 7, the same day she made an appointment with the divorce attorney for the following week. The Chula Vista Police Department made it very clear that the body of Maya Millete has not been found, making this a circumstantial case.
At his first appearance in court on Oct. 21, Larry pled not guilty to first degree murder of his wife Maya and the illegal possession of assault weapons. A motion filed that same day by the office of San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan, entitled “Peoples Request to Deny Bail”, argued he may be a threat to the man he believed had an affair with Maya.
Last week judge Maryann D'Addezio revoked his phone privileges for not complying with a criminal protective order that prohibited any contact to his three children ages 5,10 and 11. Prosecutors said he made 129 phone calls from jail at all hours of the day, with nine hours dedicated to his children.
The judge addressed this violation when denying Larry bail, in addition to alleged attempts in sending threatening messages to a man he believed Maya had an affair with, and his failure to comply with the gun violence restraining order in May.
In granting the prosecutor’s request for no bail, Judge D'Addezio said "there's clear and convincing evidence that he's threatened to commit grave bodily injury against another and there's a substantial likelihood he will carry out that threat." Larry remains in custody.
Larry’s Defense Attorney Bonita Martinez argued bail should be set at a reasonable amount, recognizing his military record, non-violent history and cited statements of support from the community. Martinez claimed Larry is willing to comply with any conditions set by the court including surrendering his passport and wearing a GPS ankle monitor if released.
Additionally, Martinez reminded the court of documents she submitted illustrating “the lifestyle of the alleged victim.” A response entitled “Defendant Request to Set Bail”, filed Nov. 2 by Martinez, cites May’s behavior in the days leading up to her disappearance.
"You cannot rule out the theories that she disappeared on her own will. We believe she's still alive. The problem here is the investigation of the authorities is focused on her death," said Martinez.
Judge D’Adezzio said the court was required to assume the charges against the defendant were true when considering bail.
“Today is not the day to try the case,” D’Addezio said.
Larry is due back in Chula Vista court Dec.16 for a readiness conference.
The investigation is still ongoing and the search for Maya’s body continues. Anyone with information on this case can reach out to detectives at (619) 691-5139 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
