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Judge Denies Bond, Keeps Henthorn In Jail

DENVER (CBS4) - Pronouncing Harold Henthorn "a substantial flight risk," Federal Magistrate Judge Kathleen Tafoya ordered the 58-year-old Highlands Ranch man held without bond at a Wednesday afternoon hearing.

"He is a true flight risk," said Tafoya in handing down her decision. She said Henthorn was a "danger to the community as well."

Henthorn, wearing a tan jail jump suit, sandals and with his hands shackled, appeared in court one week after a federal grand jury indicted him for the 2012 death of his wife, ophthalmologist Dr. Toni Henthorn. She fell to her death on a hike with him in Rocky Mountain National Park on Sept. 29, 2012. Harold Henthorn said she fell while taking a photo but that he didn't see what happened as he was looking at his phone.

After more than two years of investigation, Henthorn was arrested by federal agents. The Wednesday hearing saw Henthorn enter a not-guilty plea to the single count of first-degree murder he faces.

Dana Chamberlin, a financial auditor with the U.S. Attorney's Office, testified that Henthorn had access to about $1.5 million in cash, even though he apparently had not held a steady job in years. Tafoya said, "To have access to $1.5 million in cash is very troubling."

Chamberlin testified that in January of this year, Henthorn wired $500,000 to his brother, Robert Henthorn, for an investment. Chamberlin said that money was then moved from one account to another via multiple transfers. Tafoya said she was troubled by the movement of that money and the shifting of the assets "tells me money is being hidden."

Harold Henthorn, Toni Henthorn
Harold and Toni Henthorn (courtesy to CBS)

Prosecutors said they believed Henthorn was also responsible for the death of his first wife in 1995, although he was never charged. In that case, Sandra Lynn Henthorn, 37, died on a remote Douglas County road during a tire change. Henthorn said he pulled over when a tire felt "spongy." But while the car was up on a jack, he said his wife must have crawled underneath, possibly to retrieve a lug nut, when the jack failed and his wife was crushed. She died the next day. Henthorn was the only witness to what happened.

Federal prosecutors said both Henthorn wives died in "remarkably similar circumstances."

Also revealed in court Wednesday, Henthorn collected $496,000 in life insurance policies on his first wife's death. His second wife was insured for $4.5 million via three separate life insurance policies, although none of that money has been paid out.

Prosecutors also exposed apparent discrepancies in Henthorn's work history. He told friends, family and associates he was extremely busy as a fundraiser for non-profit groups, churches and charities. But in court, Chamberlin said a review of tax returns and Social Security records showed Harold Henthorn had no steady work and no real income for years. She said she only found minimal earnings in 1993, 1999 and 2000.

Todd Bertolet, Toni Henthorn's brother, told CBS4 it was "awesome news" that Henthorn will continue to be held without bond.

Craig Truman, Henthorn's attorney, told CBS4 he would not appeal the no-bond ruling.

If convicted, Henthorn faces a mandatory term of life in federal prison without the possibility of parole.

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