The ex-Hell's Angel and accused leader of a brutal north Minneapolis gang pleaded not guilty to racketeering, attempted murder and five other felonies Tuesday while his attorney unsuccessfully argued for permission for him to use marijuana in jail for medical purposes.

District Judge Kerry Meyer agreed to reduce bail for Joseph Robert "Big Joe" Gustafson Sr., from $1 million to $500,000 with numerous conditions, namely that he remain on house arrest pending his Oct. 17 trial. The judge ordered that the bail may not be posted by either Gustafson's now-defunct company, Gustafson's Bail Bonds, or Nicholas Miller Bail Bonds, a company once run by a close friend of the Gustafsons and an alleged straw buyer in their mortgage fraud scheme.

Gustafson, 55, reputed leader of the "Beat Down Posse," has remained in the Hennepin County jail since early July. He was charged in connection with the gang's activities. It operated under the front of Gustafson's north Minneapolis bail-bond business. He is accused of attempted first-degree murder and arson, among other crimes.

In February, authorities charged his son, Joseph Duane "Little Joe" Gustafson Jr., 36, and Troy Neuberger, 38, with 14 felonies, including racketeering, extortion, assault, robbery, kidnapping and weapons and drug trafficking. Neuberger, once the senior Gustafson's right-hand man and bodyguard, has since cooperated with investigators, the latest complaint said.

Gustafson Jr. was denied lower bail last month after prosecutors presented a police report in which Neuberger alleged that he heard that Gustafson Jr. "wished for Mr. Neuberger to be killed." He remains in the jail in lieu of $750,000 bail.

Gustafson Sr.'s attorney, Barry Voss, argued that his client was "hamstrung" from preparing for his trial when he was stuck in the jail. He's also dealt with health issues, including his kidneys shutting down, and has been denied access to a doctor, Voss said.

Gustafson, his white hair braided and tucked into his jail jumpsuit, only whispered to his attorney. During a court appearance last week, he loudly protested his lack of medical care. He told the judge he could die before he faced trial.

Meyer said Tuesday that she had consulted with jail staff to ensure Gustafson was receiving adequate medical treatment, and that a follow-up blood draw would happen soon.

Voss requested that Meyer consider allowing his client to use marijuana in the jail because he has a medical marijuana card issued by a California doctor. Voss said Gustafson could use a vaporizer in the jail or at Hennepin County Medical Center.

Meyer refused to rule on the request.

Abby Simons • 612-673-4921