Coffin also argued that the father lost virtually everything - his home, his children and his job - after his arrest and faces a possible sentence of life in prison, if convicted. That prospect alone might prompt him to flee, she said.
Martin ultimately agreed to reduce John Griffin's bail to $100,000 - twice the amount that defense lawyer Joseph Murtha said his client could likely afford. But before he could be released, the defendant would have to show proof that he will live in an apartment or extended-stay hotel while awaiting trial, Martin ruled.
The judge also directed John Griffin to have no contact with his wife or any children younger than 15 if he does post the bail.
"The court is doing this as an exercise of discretion. I could be dead wrong," the judge said, noting that bail is intended not to be punitive but to ensure that a defendant shows up for trial.
Susan Griffin remains at the county jail on $1 million bail. She did not ask yesterday for a bail reduction.
John Griffin and his wife were charged with child abuse in December and then with first-degree murder last month after the autopsy revealed that the cause of the child's death was starvation.
At the time of the Griffins' arrest in December, they had four children together - ages 10, 9, 4 and 1 - and Susan Griffin was about eight months' pregnant. She has since given birth to another boy.
All five children have been placed in foster care, with the oldest two assigned to live with John Griffin's mother, lawyers in the case said yesterday.
Susan Griffin, a stay-at-home mother, also has an adult son from a previous relationship.
jennifer.mcmenamin @baltsun.com
