5 ms·
> Don't give up. I hate to say it, but they guy was in the middle of negotiations, and could have probably worked out something significantly better than the 6-
by pzxc 12y ago
> Don't give up. I hate to say it, but they guy was in the middle of negotiations, and could have probably worked out something significantly better than the 6-month deal he was offered (which really could have been far worse, in practical terms, though it never should have come to that, of course).
My understanding is that negotiations had stalled: the prosecutors absolutely refused to entertain any plea deal that did not result in Aaron getting a felony. That was all Aaron wanted: not to be a felon for the rest of his life.
- ouchy 12y agoIANAL, but as I understand it he still had options, though (trial by jury, for example).
- therealwill 12y ago93% Federal conviction rate and a trial by jury would have been extremely expensive. Source: http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao/legacy/2011/09/01/10statrpt.pdf http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao/legacy/2011/...
- hkmurakami 12y agoHe had run out of funds (~$2MM) by that point.
- Lawtonfogle 12y agoIt is effectively a crime to demand a trial by jury. I say effectively because of how much harsher a sentence you'll receive if you lose compare to the plea bargain you are offered (the very reason for this is to force individuals to take a plea deal).
- LLWM 12y agoThat's what a lot of people want. We get it by not committing felonies.
- bmelton 12y agoGood luck with that. Obligatory reference: http://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp/1594035229 http://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp/...
- LLWM 12y agoThanks, you too!
- supdog 12y agoNormal people commit felonies doing normal things every day. http://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp/1594035229 http://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp/...
- LLWM 12y agoNormal people graduate from college with tens of thousands of dollars in student loans. Normal people are unhealthily obese. Normal people go bankrupt from unexpected medical expenses. Is it your aspiration in life to be normal?
- supdog 12y agoIf you mean to ask me what my aspiration in life is, you might be interested to know that many of my heros were felons. Jesus, Gandhi, John Bunyan,... Peaceful agribuisnessman Joel Salatin said it this way, "Everything I want to do is illegal" http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Want-To-Do-Illegal/dp/0963810952 http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Want-To-Do-Illegal/dp/09638...
- LLWM 12y agoNo, I don't, and no, I'm not.
- kaishiro 12y agoYeah, I'm also somewhat perplexed by what point you're trying to get across here. You're saying that you agree that normal people commit felonies, so the answer is to "not be normal"? Just looking for some clarification. Thanks.