[Vision2020] WTF?

[Art Deco]

Chuck,

I did not disagree real strongly with the plea bargain in this case.  What I expected to happen is that the original sentence would be served.  

I very strongly and angrily disagree with discretion exercised by Judge Brudie upon the recommendation from Cottonwood officials.  I don't know if Latah County citizens have a chance to vote stay or go for Brudie.  If we do, this issue will be raised before such an election.

The Latah County prosecutor's office has not had a really effective trial advocate since Robin Eckman left.  This was a real loss for the community in my opinion.  If Eckman were here, I think matter would have went to a trial by jury on a charge of second degree murder.  I think the prosecutor weighed a number of factors including the probability of securing a conviction in a trial by jury and the amount of work/time needed for preparing for such a trial when deciding upon the plea bargain reached.  

Again, it's not the plea bargain that angers me, it's the discretion of the judge and the message it sends.  That's why a partial description of the crime was included in the post to which you responded.

Us old codgers use ordinary language.  Whatever fine shadings of legalese there are to describe the various kinds of chickenshit slayings, I don't care.

"Police allege Leonard shot Lee, 25, of Moscow multiple times with a handgun and killed him after a June 19 argument at Leonard's Sprenger Road home near Genesee."

'Lehmbecker's affidavit also states that Sunny Namauu, who lived at the Sprenger Road home with Leonard, told an Idaho State Police officer in July that Leonard "tried to dispose of Lee's body." Namauu said Leonard asked him for a shovel, which Namauu gave him.'


I call it murder.  If Leonard doesn't like my use of ordinary language, let him sue.  He won't get anything but a vigorous countersuit.

W.



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Chuck Kovis 
  To: Art Deco ; Vision 2020 
  Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 1:10 PM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] WTF?


  Wayne, you make an excellent argument for a jury trial.  If this would have gone to a jury with Mr. Leonard asserting self-defense and found not guilty, what would you say then?  It seems to me you are just lamenting the fact that a plea bargain was reached with which you don't agree.  Both sides in this matter, the State and the Defendant, gave ground to reach a mutually agreeable outcome, as the judge stated.  BTW, you should be careful calling Mr. Leonard a murderer - he is not. FWIW.  
  Chuck Kovis
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