Connolly was acquitted of conspiracy to commit first degree murder.
This clearly was a compromise verdict. Connolly either killed Callahan on orders from the Boston Mob to prevent Callahan from testifying about the Mob's role in the murder of Jai Alia owner Roger Wheeler, which would be premeditated murder, or he didn't.
We wonder who asked for the lesser- the prosecution or the defense?
The title of the post links to the Herald Article.
Under the old guidelines, second degree murder was 12-17 years, but if memory serves us, 1982 was pre-guidelines.
So now Judge Blake is faced with imposing a 1982 era sentence on a defendant convicted with inconsistent verdicts.
This is no slam dunk victory for the prosecution.
9 comments:
Von Zampt blows another one. He has achieved more acquittals as a prosecuter then he did as a defense attorney.
Manny and Bruce did a great job. VonZamft mediocre as usual.
Milton Hirsch has decided to quit the practice of law and throw his hat into politics. He is running for judge. What a pain in the ass he will be if elected.
Was anyone there for the chair throwing?
Channel 7 reported of two judicial conferences being scheduled before the end of the year.It was propmted by a Broward County judge,and unfortunately,it may be on point.
A "financial crisis"exists,yet hundred of thousands of dollars will be expended for a county court conference and circuit court conference within the next six weeks.The report also suggested how many people within the judicial system would have retained their respective positions had the funding for these conference been used for salaries instead.The figures were in excess of 20in Miami Dade County,in excess of 15 in Broward,and in excess of 10 in Palm Beach County.The report also indicated the Chief Judges as well as Administrative Judges in each county did not respond or return calls to the reporter.
Yes,judges should have conferences for learning purposes and just have an oppurtunity to meet others in similar positions throughout the state:BUT IS SUCH NECESSARY TWICE A YEAR,especially when a budget crunch alledgedly exists?Do they need a second conference,circuit or county when one was held in June and or July?
Is a second one needed when court employess had to be laid off because of the financial crisis?
Maybe the judiciary in Miami Dade can show the way,and suggest the conference scheduled in late December be cancelled,or at least the judges from our county decline to attend.This will show the public that the judges care.Some judges in our community have already declined to attend and the should be lauded,but they will not be.
Judges make descent salaries;not what those who had been in private practice made,but somewhat adequate after including insurance and other benefits.But do they truly require a three to four day "business vacation"?Yes,they need credits as all attorneys do,but many have built up enough credits after one of two conference to last them a full term in office.
I am not suggesting by any means,attendance at conference are not necessary,but at a time like this is there not an appearance of impropriety(the news segment showed judges on the beach,dancing and partying:please understand at conference judges are also required to attend lectures,approximately eight to ten hours per day with respect generally to the divisions they are in so it is not all fun and games as suggested).
It is hoped that responses to this post are done with respect and honesty so that the powers that be may be awakened!
i disagree rump they just convicted a federal agent who had a built in defense. rump i know when you were at sao you never handled any cases in which you tried to prosecute a cop but they are the hardest cases to win.
kudos to MVZ for winning this tough case. hopefully blake will take the boots to this corrupt piece of shit and make sure he dies in prison.
milton hirsch will show today that writing a book provides more leverage than filing a motion.
As a "Robed-Reader" I want to say
In response to 10:20,
Judicial conferences are funded through a State Trust Fund, created ONLY for the purpose of the educational conferences. The funds can not be used for any other purpose.
The hotels charge ONLY a State negotiated rate and the daily food reembursement is limited to same alotted for all state employees. It's about $21.00 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ALL evening social activities are paid for by EACH Judge without reembursement.
The hotels selected are chosen because they have meeting facilities large enough for each conference. (Motel 6 doesn't have enough rooms or meeting places.)
The Conference have already been reduced to 1 per year, with the December conferences already contracted for before the any budget issues arose. They are booked about 2 years in advance to make sure of availability.
Each Judge in REG has to be certified or recertified by the Supreme Court to handle Death cases. Check and see how many current and soon to be REG Judges, can't handle them becuase of the cancellation of AJS this year and no Death penalty course being offered. It's a 5 day program. The individual Conferences are only 3 days. AJS was the only one with the 5 required days.
And while you're looking at our benefits and salaries, please remember a few things, we CAN'T write-off for business purposes all of those things that you can. We have no PA to foot the bill. Our insurance package from Miami-Dade County, which provided supplemental medical coverage to the Sate insurance and was paid for partially by each individual was cancelled by the County, without the ability to replace it.
There have been no Judicial pay raises for 6 years and no cost of living adjustments for the last 5.
If the public doesn't already know we care, then it's up to you to make sure they do.
Some days even I do not understand my fellow members of the defense Bar.
Von Zamft is awful + Manny and Bruce are great -- except for the part where their client is going to stay in prison until he dies.
Great victory, indeed.
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