Alec Cook to be released from jail Friday after posting bail

Suspended UW-Madison student Alec Cook, charged with many counts of sexual assault reported by 10 different women, will be released Friday from Dane County Jail, according to university officials.

Cook posted bail almost immediately after a county judge cut the cash requirement for his bail in half at a hearing this morning where his lawyers requested that he be released from jail on a signature bond.

Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn ordered the new bail to be set at $100,000, plus nonmonetary conditions aimed to protect members of the community and to prevent intimidation of witnesses. The terms imposed on Cook include a ban from Dane County outside of court hearings. He is also banned from using social media.

In setting bail requirements, Bailey-Rihn noted that Cook is still legally innocent at this point, but expressed concern with consideration to the nature of the allegations, which she called severe and violent. The judge also acknowledged the flight risk of the defendant, who is from Edina, Minn., and has no ties to Dane County.

“He doesn’t have ties here,” Bailey-Rihn said. “He’s young. He has good health. He has the ability, if he should so choose, to disappear.”

Cook was first charged in October, with reports of sexual assault from five women.

His release comes not even 24 hours after five additional women came forward. Prosecutors filed six more charges against him Thursday—including fourth-degree sexual assault, felony stalking and disorderly conduct—bringing his total count of criminal charges to 21 and years of potential imprisonment to more than 300.

Cook’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2017. 

UPDATE Dec. 16 1:54 p.m.: This story was updated to include more information.