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This evening, after she was allowed to go free, Ferguson, in the presence of her attorney, granted our Daniel Ortiz an interview. It's her first comment since both she and her husband have been charged, and she told us that her first time behind bars was made easier by the custodians of the prison:

Melissa Ferguson, Charged with kidnapping conspiracy
"Everyone there treated me really well. It's something I never dreamed of would ever happen to me and it happened, so I am here and I am very thankful today that I'm being released on bail and I look forward to clearing my name in the near future and having my fair day in trial."

Daniel Ortiz
"Have you even been accused of anything where you are from?"

Melissa Ferguson, Charged with kidnapping conspiracy
"No, I'm about clean as I come. So again a real shock, completely caught me off guard and as of the day of the crime I had no idea what was going on and when I was asked to come in and answer some questions I was always willing to do that. I have nothing to hide. So, I just trust do what's right and in the end I'm being granted bail today and I am very thankful for that."

Daniel Ortiz
"I may be pushing it, but I have to ask -"

Dickie Bradley - Attorney for Melissa Ferguson
"You ARE Pushing it."

Daniel Ortiz
"(laughs) Your husband has been called all these things, conman, kidnapper, extortionist, murderer. Tell us about the man you know, because the one we think we know is not a very nice guy."

Melissa Ferguson, Charged with kidnapping conspiracy
"The man that I know is not the man that's being portrayed. I've been with him for a number of years and it all started with some online billing, to be honest with you and we all know what can happen with that. All of the people that have been associated with my husband they also know he is an amazing man; he got an amazing energy, he is charismatic, he is ambitious, he would help anybody. It's just so sad to watch what happened and how people have turned their back and I understand people have to dismiss themselves from him, but that is not the man that is being portrayed. He had a good relationship with pastor Lu. I don't understand what could possibly could have happened and we will all find out one day. I haven't even been able to speak to my husband other than very briefly when we were passing through the court, but I look forward to him also clearing his name - both of us."

Her attorney also spoke to us on the submissions he made to convince the judge to grant her bail. He also shared his opinion the evidence that police have so far put forward against his client:

Daniel Ortiz
"I understand that your client got bail."

Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney for Melissa Ferguson
"Yes, God be praised and thanks to the Director of Public Prosecution and Senior Crown Counsel Sheneiza Smith who offered no strenuous objections to the bail or to the quantum, because the judge would normally ask the crown counsel in relation to foreigners if there are any particular conditions they would want to include if bail is granted. So this afternoon in front of Justice John Troadio Gonzalez, Melissa Ferguson who is falsely accused wrongly imprisoned over some kidnapping she knows nothing about has been granted bail in the sum of $12,000 and two surety."

Daniel Ortiz
"Has the prosecution or the police provided any additional details even things you yourself would be doubtful of?"

Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney for Melissa Ferguson
"Yes, they have originally provided nothing and then subsequently they did provide something. They are trying to say, because they can't even really say, they are trying to say Melissa Ferguson when she voluntarily went into the Belmopan Police Station last Monday when she could have gone home, when she went into the police station, she was asked 'were you at home in the evening of the 15th day of July?' and she said 'yes I was at home. the domestic workers were there, there were persons who were working on the stone driveway' She was asked 'did you see Pastor Lewellyn Lucas at any time come to the house and she said forthright 'yes, I recall seeing him early in the afternoon, I thought nothing strange about it, he comes as a regular visitor to the home and has discussions with my common-law-husband, do you see anything else that would arose your suspicion or make you feel...?' 'No, I saw nothing else' and she said the cameras are on, you can go and look at the cameras. The cameras will show me. 'I was in fact calling for a taxi, because a little later my husband came back with police officers, including the Commissioner of Police to ask for the spare key to the vehicle and she handed over the key and she needed to make some errands and so she was on the phone calling for a taxi. They can checked the telephone calls, because they are trying to suggest that she was probably masterminding the kidnapping because she was on the phone. That's just ridiculous."

Her bail came with the conditions that she reports to the Belmopan Police Station every Friday; that she surrenders all travel documents; that she attends all adjournments of her case; and that she does not interfere with the prosecution's witnesses.