Judge sets bail at $2.26 million in ‘very gruesome’ death

By Cara McCoy

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009 | 12:34 p.m.

Bail was set today at $2.26 million for a British man accused in the death of a Las Vegas woman whose severed body was found in a trash can in the garage of her home.

Michael Victor Lane, 37, appeared today in front of Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle, who set the bail and a preliminary hearing date of Jan. 11.

He is accused in the death of Ginger Candela, 44. Candela’s body was found by missing persons detectives Nov. 30 in the garage of her home in the 3100 block of Westfield Street. Her body was cut in half and stuffed into a trash can filled with bleach, according to a police report. Police said they believe she died about two weeks before she was found.

Lane told police the two were meditating in her bedroom when he decided to kill her, which he did by strangling her with an electric cord after striking her with a frying pan, according to the arrest report.

He was arrested Dec. 3 in Ventura, Calif.

“This is a very gruesome case,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Giancarlo Pesci in asking for Lane to be held without bail on the murder charge. Pesci said prosecutors could seek the death penalty in the case.

Lane’s attorney, Dan Silverstein, said that instances of no bail should be reserved for the worst of the worst and that his client was presumed to be innocent until a jury found him to be otherwise.

“Mr. Lane, like everyone else, whether you’re from England or anywhere else, is presumed innocent,” he said.

Lane, described by police as a motivational speaker, is also facing charges in connection with an alleged attack on a transsexual male. In that instance, police allege Lane used Candela’s vehicle to run over the person, who allegedly was solicited by Lane on Craigslist for sex.