Bond Set For OKC Man Accused Of Planning To Poison Pregnant Ex-Girlfriend

By Vanessa Prado

 At a hearing Friday, there were new developments in the case of an Oklahoma City man accused of planning to murder his pregnant ex-girlfriend with Ricin.

An Oklahoma County judge set Preston Rhoads' bond at $200,000.

Rhoads will remain under house arrest at his parent's home in Ada and will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor, court officials said.

12/6/2014 Related Story: Judge Sets Bond In OKC Murder Plot Case

He is also not allowed to use the internet or phone unless dialing his attorney or 911.

Prosecutors said Rhoads made Ricin and tried to hire a co-worker to use it to murder his pregnant ex-girlfriend back in April.

3/18/2014 Related Story: Oklahoma Police, FBI Continue Murder Plot Investigation

Days later, the FBI arrested Rhoads and searched his home.

Officials testified they found a hand-written recipe for Ricin in the home, along with equipment used to make the poison.

They also found a vile of Ricin in the police car used to take Rhoads to jail.

The defense claimed Rhoads was severely depressed and only planned to take his own life with the poison.

But prosecutors said they believe Rhoads planned to murder his pregnancy ex-girlfriend because he "didn't want the baby in the world."

Rhoads told police he was planning to sell his house and he purchased a passport to move overseas. That passport was seized as a condition of his bond.

Forensic psychologist Teresa Hall said after extensive risk assessment, she believes Rhoads did not pose a threat of significant violence to others.

Defense attorney John Coyle was happy with the judge's decision to set bond.

"I want him to get the right treatment for the problems he has. I think this is a great start," said Coyle.

The prosecution argued Rhoads is a danger to society.

“He's shown you how he deals with his problems,” said one prosecutor.

Rhoads has been under suicide watch and has had regular sessions with a therapist in the Oklahoma County Jail.

The defense attributed Rhoads' depression to an "instability in personal relationships," as well as stress from his job and his split from the alleged victim.

Hall said the news of his girlfriend becoming pregnant was the "last straw" and he lashed out because of his lack of coping skills.

Rhoads was still in the Oklahoma County Jail Friday afternoon, while his release on bond was processed.