Washington, Jan. 15 : For the second time in three days, a judge has refused to jail swindler Bernie Madoff, who is so despised he had to wear a bulletproof vest to court.

Over the government's objections, a magistrate judge ruled Monday that Madoff could remain free on 10 million dollar bail, confined to his East Side penthouse.

Prosecutors appealed, arguing Madoff should be tossed in jail for mailing one million dollars worth of jewelry to family members, allegedly in an effort to hide his assets.

Madoff, 70, has been the target of death threats since a 50 billion dollar scam surfaced. (ANI)