SACRAMENTO, Sept. 16 – A federal judge today reduced the bail of Lynette Fromme from $1 million to $350,000, saying it was the “least onerous” amount he could set to insure that she will not flee from a charge of trying to assassinate President Gerald Ford.

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas J. MacBride, in reducing the bail, said he found the disciple of Charles Manson “a sincere young lady. Sincere in her beliefs, such as they are.”

The judge also said there were no “adverse findings in her character and mental condition” which would preclude lowering the bail.

“My main concern is that I must impose the least onerous conditions …that will guarantee the defendant’s return to court,” MacBride added.

MacBride’s decision came after Miss Fromme and her defense attorney argued that she should be released on her own recognizance, without bail.

But MacBride said, “I can’t possibly consider” that request, noting the seriousness of the case and the “weight of evidence.”

Earlier the judge modified a gag order imposed on the 26-year-old Fromme, saying she could talk about anything she likes except the alleged assassination attempt on Ford Sept. 5 in Capitol Park.

Five witnesses, including Fromme, testified before the judge made his bail decision.

Asked if she would make her court appearances if she was released on bail, Fromme replied, “Absolutely. It’s very important for me to go through with this trial.”

She also said, “I don’t believe keeping me in an isolation cell is doing me any good.”

Another witness was Jess Fain, landlord of the old home where Fromme lived, and another Manson follower, Sandra Good, still resides.

Fain described the women as “model tenants” who always paid their rent on time.

To the question, “Assuming the rent was paid would she Miss Fromme have a place to stay if she were released?” Fain replied “Yes sir.”

Just minutes after the court recessed, Susan “Heather” Murphy, another Manson follower who attended the proceedings with Good, was taken into custody by three plainclothes detectives.

Authorities said she was arrested on a warrant charging probation violation on a petty theft conviction.

Earlier, in issuing his gag order modification, MacBride said, “If she ( Fromme) wants to talk about the redwoods … she should be free to do so.”

The judge was referring to Fromme’s arraignment last Thursday when she made a rambling plea “to save the redwood trees” and told MacBride, “The gun is pointed, your honor, the gun is pointed. Whether it goes off is up to you.”

Today’s appearance by the freckle-faced Fromme, 26, was a complete reversal from her arraignment.

Dressed in a red, flowing “nun’s” outfit she wore in her past court appearance and similar to the one she wore the day she was arrested, she appeared calm, quiet and business like.

MacBride said he was concerned that if Fromme was allowed to comment on the case she would make statements prejudicial to herself.

At that point she stood up and started to speak but MacBride stopped her, saying “Your attorney’s doing a good enough job.”

At another point the tiny defendant asked the judge if she could represent herself. MacBride said the matter will be taken up Friday, the day she is scheduled to enter a plea.

Later, asking to remove the gag order, Fromme said, “I could talk all day and all night and probably not balance all that’s been said about me.”

MacBride’s decision apparently will allow Fromme to have visitors and release statements to the press, actions which have been banned since she was arrested. It also apparently will now allow her to interview witnesses.

Fromme, one of mass murderer Manson’s most slavish followers, was indicted last Wednesday by a federal grand jury on a charge of “willfully and knowingly” pointing a gun at the President in Capitol Park Sept. 5.

The gag order issued last week by MacBride included Fromme, her attorney, the U.S. Attorney here, the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the Secret Service, the U.S. Marshal, all other federal law enforcement agencies, local sheriff and police, office of the federal defender, the
State Department of Corrections and all witnesses.

In an earlier written motion against lifting the gag order for Fromme, U.S. Attorney Dwayne Keyes said the right for a fair trial comes ahead of conflicts with constitutional freedoms.

In his brief, Keyes said the order “decreases significantly” the opportunity for “sensational news reports” on trial strategy and other aspects of the case.

The order restraining comment on the case was requested by E. Richard Walker, Fromme’s court-appointed federal public defender.

However, he objected to the inclusion of Fromme.

In his brief to free Fromme from the order, Walker said the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial.

“As an intricate part of that right, of course, is the right of the accused to prepare a defense, otherwise the trial would be completely one-sided, amounting to little more than a farce,” Walker said.

“With the order that the defendant make no comment to anyone, she is not only denied a ‘public’ trial but she is also precluded from using all of the resources available in preparing a defense and she is therefore denied her right to a ‘fair trial,'” Walker added.