Post by Vince524 on Feb 14, 2018 20:48:59 GMT -5
globegazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_6083583c-8dce-503e-8010-cd2f7a3dff6f.html
Now here's the sticking point.
So if I understand Alford pleas, it means the defendant is allowed to continue to maintain innocence, despite the fact that they were found guilty. I read a case recently where 2 men were convicted of rape and murder from before DNA was available. DNA was found and when tested, cleared both men. The prosecutor wouldn't drop the charges, so they offered an Alford plea. One took it and was released right away, the other decided to go to trial. The DA dropped the charges last minute on the one that didn't take the plea, and he was released. He's done better than the other guy because his record is at least clean.
So, I'm not sure what to make of this. Seems like either she got a real sweetheart deal and the system screwed the kid, or if she should have been acquired, then she got screwed.
A Charles City woman accused of sexually assaulting a child at her day care was sentenced to probation Monday.
Judge Rustin Davenport sentenced Tawny Symonds, 31, to five years of probation. A sentence of five years in prison was suspended.
A suspended sentence means Symonds could possibly be sent to prison if she violates terms of her probation.
Other sentencing terms state Symonds cannot have contact with minors and must pay over $1,000 in restitution.
Judge Rustin Davenport sentenced Tawny Symonds, 31, to five years of probation. A sentence of five years in prison was suspended.
A suspended sentence means Symonds could possibly be sent to prison if she violates terms of her probation.
Other sentencing terms state Symonds cannot have contact with minors and must pay over $1,000 in restitution.
Symonds was initially charged with three felonies: second-degree sexual abuse, assault with an object and child endangerment.
Through a plea agreement, which dropped the sexual abuse and assault charges, Symonds was only sentenced on the lesser child endangerment charge, to which she submitted an Alford plea.
Through a plea agreement, which dropped the sexual abuse and assault charges, Symonds was only sentenced on the lesser child endangerment charge, to which she submitted an Alford plea.
So, I'm not sure what to make of this. Seems like either she got a real sweetheart deal and the system screwed the kid, or if she should have been acquired, then she got screwed.
