It all has to do with evaluating flight risk, with his lawyers asserting a reasonable belief to the judge that he's not one (prosecutors likewise can make their own recommendations). Bail can be denied, but from what I understand from legal podcasts, most cases have release conditions.
The fact that he skipped town means his lawyer might get in some trouble, but it almost certainly means this guy is royally fucked when they find him. It doesn't look good to juries when you run away.