10-16-2011, 03:02 AM
(10-15-2011, 12:21 AM)Older Than Dirt Wrote: Prosecutor Julia Bates said her office agonizes over every plea offered but must weigh the strength of the evidence against the possibility that a jury would return a not-guilty verdict. She said by entering into a plea agreement, the state can ensure some time behind bars and prevent the possibility of a not-guilty verdict or an appeal.
"We can shake the tree and see what evidence falls, but sometimes, it's not a lot, and in those cases, we're better taking the plea than getting nothing," she said. "We agonize every time something like this happens, but we try to balance getting an appropriate sentence with giving the family peace of mind and protecting the community."
OTD, a huge problem with Toledo is Julia Bates. I will say up front I know her and I went to school with her daughter. Julia is a cold person IMO. I am still amazed that she is the one who goes to bat for the victims in Toledo.
I am not alone in this. I have my degree in journalism. When I was in college I had a very long discussion with a professor of mine who used to work as a journalist in Toledo on Prosecutor Bates. We had both come to the same conclusion on her.
I am amazed any justice gets done in Toledo. There isn't much she won't plea out.
"I’m not going to cry over it. I already did that on the way home." - Michael Scott