$300K bond for SC Maserati driver on murder charge

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A judge on Monday set $300,000 bond for a driver who was charged with murder after crashing his Maserati into a house, killing a South Carolina man watching television inside.

Circuit Court Judge Eugene Griffith also ordered John Ludwig, 36, to surrender his driver's license and passport and stay on home confinement each evening, from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Ludwig was arrested earlier this month in the death Frederic Bardsley, 62. The founder of technology consulting firm SDI Networks was driving at more than 85 mph the night of April 25 when he lost control of his Maserati, authorities said.

The car traveled several hundred feet across a field before plowing into the back of Bardsley's home, hurtling so forcefully through the two-story house that it came to rest in the front yard. Bardsley's wife, who was upstairs, was unhurt, and Ludwig suffered minor injuries.

Ludwig's attorney has said his client lost control of his sports car after swerving to miss several deer.

Griffith also ordered Ludwig not to have contact with Bardsley's family, except through his attorney, and not to transfer any assets greater than $10,000 without the court's permission.

Ludwig, who has 13 speeding convictions since 1999, has also been charged with criminal domestic violence twice in the past six months and was arrested again in August after his wife accused him of making dozens of harassing phone calls.

When he was arrested last week for Bardsley's death, Ludwig was out on bond on a burglary charge. Authorities said he kicked in the door of a Greenville home last summer and chased a man who was dating his estranged wife and refused to let him in. Police records show an officer shocked Ludwig with a stun gun after he refused to cooperate.

"It is clear that Mr. Ludwig's character and his respect for authority is absent," prosecutor Bob Ariail said Friday in court. "The public needs to be protected from this individual ... he is a potential menace."

But Griffith said Ludwig has no record of failing to show up for court appearances and has consistently paid his bond on past charges.

"Having considered the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, the Defendant's character and mental condition, family ties and length of residence in the community ... this Court finds that the Defendant's motion for release on bail pending trial should be and is therefore granted," Griffith wrote.

Appearing by at Friday's hearing by videoconference, Ludwig briefly apologized for the crash.

"I take 100 percent responsibility for the accident," he said. "I can't say how sorry I am."

Ludwig, held at the Greenville County jail since his May 6 arrest, could be released after posting 10 percent of his bond amount. Online records showed he was still incarcerated Monday afternoon.

If convicted of murder, Ludwig could face 30 years to life in prison. Ludwig's attorney, Billy Wilkins, did not immediately return a message Monday.