Judge sets bail at $5.5M for farming tycoon accused of killing wife 

Farming tycoon Michael Abatti, accused of shooting his wife in the head, could be getting out of lock-up after pleading not guilty — but it’ll cost him millions of dollars. 

The 63-year-old is accused of killing his former beauty queen wife Kerri Ann Abatti at their $1.6 million Pinetop, Arizona home. The couple were in the middle of a bitter divorce battle when she was found dead on Nov. 20. 

An Arizona judge raised Abatti’s bond from $500,000 to $5.5 million after he was extradited from California to Arizona on Tuesday afternoon.   

While Abatti’s $5.5 million bail bond may seem out of reach for most people, his lawyer Owen Roth told The Post his client is “very wealthy” but would not confirm if he plans to bail himself out or not. Abatti’s net worth is currently unknown.

“The terms are standard. He needs to meet the financial requirements, reside in California, surrender his passport and have the ability to travel to Arizona for court,”

Abatti’s 2018 crops were worth “in excess of $10,000,000” according to the Desert Sun, who described him as having “enormous influence” over the California desert’s water supply due to his prominent position on the Imperial County Water District board. 

But despite his vast wealth, Abatti allegedly killed his 53-year-old wife during a spousal support dispute. 

She told the court during the divorce battle that they lived an affluent lifestyle and owned properties in three states and that she needed $100,000 for attorney fees and $30,000 a month to continue her lifestyle — but was only being paid $5,000 a month, according to Fox 10.

Abatti said he was receiving about $22,000 a month to run the farm as the business struggled to pay its creditors in full.

“The income available at this time does not warrant any increase in the amount to which the parties stipulated, let alone an increase to $30,000 per month,” Lee Hejmanowski, Abatti’s family law attorney, wrote in court papers.

 He eventually agreed to pay her $6,400 per month.

Abbatti allegedly drove from California to Arizona to kill his wife at the lavish pad then drove immediately back, according to police. He was arrested on December 23 after an ….

Her nephew told investigators he had heard a loud sound before finding her fatally wounded, according to the autopsy report.

When investigators searched the home, they discovered a bullet hole in a window and said she was likely shot from one yard outside of the home, the report said.

Abatti was seen in his booking photo wearing an anti-suiside vest, designed to protect inmates from harming themselves.

“It’s jail, it sucks,” Roth told The Post just hours after representing his client in an Arizona courtroom.

“My sense, he worries about how it’s going to affect his family.” 

The couple were married for 31 years and have three children. 

“He cares deeply about his kids. That’s come through. The guy I’ve gotten to know is quiet, shy. He doesn’t shoot his mouth off.” said Roth.

His attorneys added they are “deeply concerned” about his health, as he suffers from numerous medical conditions requiring ongoing treatment and access to specialized care. Abatti will next appear in court on March 17. 

“I’m going to get him the very best possible outcome that I can,” said Roth.