He PLED...

GUILTY!

No trial!

After many pre-trial interviews, discussion, pleas, counter pleas, refusals of acceptance, more discussion – Poison Ivy refusing them all, but Rose was not backing down. She held him at bay and decided today she would start upping his years for if he chose a late plea, not giving allowing him to accept her previous offer. It has been a tough 5 days – for us all. So today, we went in with every intention of Jury selection and trial starting – never considering he would plea.

He saw the line up of witnesses - and bowed under the pressure. He accepted a plea of 20 years – but will have to serve no less than 10. The judge made him say what he is guilty of - every bit of it – they did not make it easy on him our asst DA said. We were in the DA’s office waiting on the jury selection to finish.

He will also be tried in another large city district of similar charges, but because of some logistics, these will be Grand Jury Charges – and the sentence can be death penalty. For now, he is off to the Penitentiary to serve his 10 years. Rose made sure he would have to serve enough for her siblings to be mature and of legal age. She has really thought this through.

Guess he should have been thinking of the other charges – pleaing guilty here will surely not look good for him there. Rose agreed for the sentencing to run concurrent, but I bet he gets more than 10 years for all those other charges he has yet to face – and also there is another girl pressing charges as well – the babysitter! She told us today she is doing it :-) Our attorney thinks the other trial will happen lickety-split since this case did all the leg work. Maybe even before the end of the year.

Lots of hugs at the courthouse – everyone knows us! lol… Now I can cry tears of relief. Funny - I don't feel them yet. I am waiting for the letdown... or maybe I am still preparing for tre funeral and the rest of the week - still a lot to plan. I wanted a "YES! It is over!" ...

We went gator hunting this afternoon... we found about a half a dozen little guys. Guess the big ones were camping out in the swamp. We will try again tomorrow. Wildflower wants her dad to see them.

Thank you all for being so patient with me. We have had a lot of prayers and support and we really appreciate that. Please – don’t forget your prayer of thanksgiving for answered prayers.

Off to do the happy dance - with Rose who truly does feel the relief.

Cajunsis