<MC>Citing a clean record and ties to the community, a Merced County Superior Court judge lowered the bail amount of an Atwater man who was allegedly involved in violence at a peace rally that occurred late last month.</p><p>Judge Frank Dougherty lowered the bail of Kellen Brenton from $500,000 to $110,000 at a bail hearing held Monday at the Robert M. Falasco Justice Center.</p><p>Brenton, 58, a member of the Hells Angels, was arrested June 28 after police said he and other members of the motorcycle gang allegedly started a fight with members of the Mongols motorcycle gang at a stop the violence rally.</p><p>During the fight five to six shots were fired from a .40-caliber handgun and a Hells Angel prospect was stabbed. </p><p>Police said they found the magazine of a semi-automatic weapon during a pat-down of Brenton but were unable to locate the handgun. Police also reportedly found a “whip” on Brenton’s motorcycle.</p><p>Brenton was charged with suspicion of having a dangerous weapon, which would normally carry a $25,000-$45,000 bail amount. But Los Baños police asked the district attorney to increase it to $500,000 to ensure the safety of the community.</p><p>The request was approved by the district attorney but then the bail amount was reduced by the judge.</p><p>Brenton’s attorney Linden A. Lindahl argued that the amount was excessive and offered testimonials that his client was a family man and gainfully employed member of the community.</p><p>“Mr. Brenton is a lifelong resident of the Valley, he has lived here all his life, he is not a flight risk” Lindahl said. “And as the court can tell, he has community support.”</p><p>Brenton’s support system included friends, family and his employer, all of whom packed Dougherty’s courtroom to attest to his character.</p><p>Brenton’s wife, Cindy, said in their 32-year marriage she has never known her husband to be in trouble and is a good father to their two daughters.</p><p>“He’s a wonderful man, his bail should not be this high,” she said.</p><p>Philip de Leon, Brenton’s boss, said the only reputation his employee has is as one of the best mechanics in the Valley. De Leon said that with his salary Brenton would not be able to pay the bail amount.</p><p>Lindahl provided Dougherty with letters in favor of a lower bond from people who know Brenton.</p><p>Dougherty said there needed to be a balance between Brenton’s clean record and public safety.</p><p>He lowered the bail amount by $390,000.</p><p>Brenton has been in custody since June 28 at the John Lotorraca Correctional Facility. He was present at the bail hearing via video conference. The only time he spoke during the hearing was to acknowledge that he heard the judge’s orders.</p><p>Enterprise reporter Minerva Perez can be reached by phone at (209)388-6565 or by e-mail at mperez@losbanosenterprise.com