True, but a plea deal has also been reached. My limited experience at reading these indicates that the plea deal will be guilty to a lesser charge so the State get to save nickles by avoiding an expensive trial and the criminal gets to avoid any real penalty. The primary indication that there is a slap-on-the-wrist settlement is the waiving of the presentence report - meaning, nothing of significance is to happen so no report is required.Originally Posted by akavidflyer
My take on this is that the prosecutor avoids the cost of a trial,
and gets to put a checkmark in the win box,
although justice has not been served.
Our court system leaves a lot to be desired sometimes.
Cessna Skywagon-- accept no substitute!
Works well to delay until after the summer season, so you can continue to operate your summer time prime time business.
I don't know where you've been me lad, but I see you won first Prize!akavidflyer liked this post
As a former prosecutor, I think I have to explain the process. When I was in misdemeanor court, I had to deal with 1500 cases a year. Due to the nature of trial prep, witness, scheduling, holidays etc., it was hard to try more than 26 jury trials. Felony court, with murder, rapes, robberies etc., I had to deal with 300 cases a year and it was hard to try more than 12 to 20 jury trials.
To try every case to a jury would many, many more courts, prosecutors and all of the associated personnel. All would have to be paid for by the taxpayers. Therefore the vast majority of cases are settled (aka plea bargained). I am not claiming it is perfect, but it is the system we have. Justice is subjective, but my experience was that most of my colleagues tried to do the right thing.
So the crazy lady walks.
Web
Life's tough . . . wear a cup.
Er, floats?
Gary
She was set to enter a guilty plea of some sort. She got a new lawyer in August, but the change of plea hearing and sentencing is still on for now, but delayed until November.
My guess is that she will end up accepting a plea offer. The video evidence everyone has seen speaks for itself.
Pure coincidence that her new attorney has the same last name as the courthouse? Not sure if there is a relation there or not, but seems a bit coincidental. Her previous attorney isn't really a "high caliber" guy and I would be shocked if the hearing goes as scheduled. The new gal will be working a better plea deal I am sure and it's going to be postponed again and again.
I saw this reported by Nat Herz of the Northern Journal. She ended up accepting a plea deal. Detail here: https://www.documentcloud.org/docume...beck-plea-deal
She plead guilty to gross negligent operation of a vessel with the following sentencing recommendations:
- 90-day maximum cap on time to serve [I'm not sure if this means she'll serve time, I'm not a lawyer]
- A $25,000 fine
- Relinquishes her Mariner License
- Full restitution to the victim after evidentiary hearing at the sentencing
- One year period of supervised release or 5 years probation
salex thanked for this post
More than I thought she would actually get.
Now where did I put the keys?
Me too
And that was a plea deal. I wonder what she was going to get without the plea? Do you think she learned a lesson....or not?
NX1PA
Doubtful. Just seems to get crazier and more brazen every year. Only time will tell.
“We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.”
crazy, she threatened the 7 passengers also not just the pilot.
The judge will sign off on it. I have not seen one overturn a plea deal yet. The exact sentencing has not been given yet, but the only thing I see them doing is minimizing time in jail. If she gets the full 90 days I will be shocked.
As will I - and politics is a serious influence on everything - maybe especially the courts - in Juneau. The Tillion name (she is his daughter) and money still has influence. However, occasionally a judge will be sharp enough to know that 90 days without her booze is actually perceived by her as fairly stiff punishment and good for her as well. Maybe - just maybe.
Article says "Change of plea hearing November 8th..."
She still has the opportunity to go through a trial. I wonder after hearing the water go through the prop if the engine was torn down and she will have to pay for that?
Politics and names aside, this has world wide coverage, and we do get to vote on Alaska judges up here. Every one of our representatives in DC have some strong connections to pilots. The number of pilots up here that vote is pretty high, and many have family at home worrying. Many judges are pilots also, any judge that lets this behavior slide easy will become a target for ousting pretty quickly. Our lone congressman just lost her husband in a cub, so can't imagine her being nice to anyone supporting bad behavior near aircraft.
All speculation, but sure hope this keeps going the way it looks. Losing your US Coast Guard license is a big deal also, especially at her age. Essentially her boating for hire days are gone. Pretty hard pill to swallow for most to lose your life long occupation in such a public way.
Fall is out there, stay safe all.
I don't know where you've been me lad, but I see you won first Prize!
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