Comments on: Plea Agreements May End Jena Six Cases http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2007/12/plea-agreements-may-end-jena-six-cases/ A black bourgeoisie perspective on U.S. politics Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:45:15 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2007/12/plea-agreements-may-end-jena-six-cases/comment-page-1/#comment-1842 Anonymous Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:26:00 +0000 http://s45368.gridserver.com/?p=640#comment-1842 Plea bargaining is the norm in criminal cases. Only a small percent of cases actually go to trial. Bell's agreement to testify against the other defendants, who face charges of aggravated battery, increases the probability that they will also accept plea bargains and plead guilty to second-degree battery. Second-degree battery is a felony offense that carries a maximum five-year sentence, but almost no one receives maximum sentences. Members of the Jena Six who have no previous convictions might get parole with no jail time. Like Bell, they will be required to pay restitution to the victim, Justin Barker.<br/><br/>The only trial will probably be a civil trial. This morning, the Barkers filed civil charges against the adult members of the Jena Six, their families, and the Jena School District. They have requested a jury trial. Their attorneys probably hope to win an out-of-court settlement from the school district. Usually, attorneys don't seek to recover damages from defendants in criminal trials, since they usually have no money. However, the Jena Six and their families have acccess to hundreds of thousands of dollars donated to the Jena Six defense fund. Plea bargaining is the norm in criminal cases. Only a small percent of cases actually go to trial. Bell’s agreement to testify against the other defendants, who face charges of aggravated battery, increases the probability that they will also accept plea bargains and plead guilty to second-degree battery. Second-degree battery is a felony offense that carries a maximum five-year sentence, but almost no one receives maximum sentences. Members of the Jena Six who have no previous convictions might get parole with no jail time. Like Bell, they will be required to pay restitution to the victim, Justin Barker.

The only trial will probably be a civil trial. This morning, the Barkers filed civil charges against the adult members of the Jena Six, their families, and the Jena School District. They have requested a jury trial. Their attorneys probably hope to win an out-of-court settlement from the school district. Usually, attorneys don’t seek to recover damages from defendants in criminal trials, since they usually have no money. However, the Jena Six and their families have acccess to hundreds of thousands of dollars donated to the Jena Six defense fund.

]]> By: dnA http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2007/12/plea-agreements-may-end-jena-six-cases/comment-page-1/#comment-1835 dnA Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:56:00 +0000 http://s45368.gridserver.com/?p=640#comment-1835 It sounds to me like Walters is ready for this to be over. I'd be surprised if he and Mauffray had more stomach for a fight. It sounds to me like Walters is ready for this to be over. I’d be surprised if he and Mauffray had more stomach for a fight.

]]> By: rikyrah http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2007/12/plea-agreements-may-end-jena-six-cases/comment-page-1/#comment-1831 rikyrah Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:08:00 +0000 http://s45368.gridserver.com/?p=640#comment-1831 Thanks for the more in depth post, dnA. You gave deeper context; thanks a lot. <br/><br/>Make no mistake, without the protest, Mychal Bell would STILL be in jail - AS AN ADULT, and the rest of them would be railroaded by All White Juries too. Thanks for the more in depth post, dnA. You gave deeper context; thanks a lot.

Make no mistake, without the protest, Mychal Bell would STILL be in jail – AS AN ADULT, and the rest of them would be railroaded by All White Juries too.

]]> By: dsf http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2007/12/plea-agreements-may-end-jena-six-cases/comment-page-1/#comment-1829 dsf Tue, 04 Dec 2007 18:19:00 +0000 http://s45368.gridserver.com/?p=640#comment-1829 What has happened and will happen in Jena is still shrouded in doubt. That these hearings to date would have resulted similarly without the 9-20 march can be easily argued.<br/><br/>Further, for his part in the plea agreement, Bell not only admitted his role in the beating of Barker but he agreed to testify at the trials of the others. Five of those still charged will be tried as adults, and now Walters has his snitch. In other news accounts, Bell's attorneys said that this plea deal is based on facts that have not yet been reported by any of the various news sources.<br/><br/>The cases of the Jena 6 are far from over, and the pressure must continue to be applied. What has happened and will happen in Jena is still shrouded in doubt. That these hearings to date would have resulted similarly without the 9-20 march can be easily argued.

Further, for his part in the plea agreement, Bell not only admitted his role in the beating of Barker but he agreed to testify at the trials of the others. Five of those still charged will be tried as adults, and now Walters has his snitch. In other news accounts, Bell’s attorneys said that this plea deal is based on facts that have not yet been reported by any of the various news sources.

The cases of the Jena 6 are far from over, and the pressure must continue to be applied.

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