Bond reduced in professor slaying case

Deandrew Hamlin, jailed three months ago after police found him driving a slain professor's Jeep, had his bond reduced from $1 million to $50,000 Friday - an indication, his attorney said, that police efforts to tie him to the killing "have come up empty."

"Him being in the vehicle is certainly a long way from him being responsible for her death," the attorney, Brian K. McDaniel, said.

The popular professor, Sue Ann Marcum, taught accounting at American University. Her body was discovered inside her home on Oct. 25. Police have said they believe she was killed by a burglar.

About 13 hours after her body was discovered, Hamlin was spotted in her stolen Jeep, and led officers in the District on a chase before crashing the vehicle, police said. He gave different reasons why he'd come to be driving the Jeep, according to Montgomery authorities. He was charged with theft counts, but his bond originally set at $1 million, reflecting police and prosecutors' concerns that he was a threat to the community.

Hamlin's attorneys eventually asked that his bond be reduced, given that he was still only charged with theft. McDaniel asked that he be released on his own recognizance. Montgomery County Circuit Judge Durke Thompson set his bond at $50,000, and said if he was released, Hamlin must abide by a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, according to a recording of Friday's hearing.

Hamlin remained locked up Friday afternoon. McDaniel, said he expected him to be released over the next few days.

A police spokeswoman on Friday said Hamlin remained a "person of interest" in the investigation of Marcum's murder.