TUESDAY'S COURT ROOM BONANZA

You may catch journalists wearing sneakers downtown on Tuesday. There will be a lot of running around.

At 1pm Sanibel's first murder case in 20 years is expected to end in a plea deal.
A half hour later and a couple of doors down the a judge will hear arguments to seal documents in the high profile Gateway Murder case.

As I have written before, I am curious to see what Fred Cooper's attorney is trying to keep from the public. I'll tell you this... Ken Garber has a lot of reporters scratching their heads saying "we can view depositions?" I did a small (and definitely not scientific) poll of our newsroom and found no one has ever seen deposition during discovery. No one could even tell me what a deposition looks like or who to ask to see one. Apparently we are entitled to it though!

AND NOW TO SANIBEL....

Tuesday, a judge could sign off on a deal to put David Baugher away for 15 years for murder. We already know how Kevin Davis (victim's widow) feels about it. If you missed his comments scroll down to his post.

I wonder how prosecutors feel about the deal.

We interviewed State Attorney Stephen Russell about it after we first learned about it. Because of ethical considerations, he couldn't really comment on it. However, once the deal is accepted in court, Russell should be free to speak. I will be curious to hear why they went for this.
For journalists who cover crime and those involved in law enforcement this deal is appalling. 15 years for a murder is about half of what typically murder convictions end with (25 years to life.) There obviously has to be a reason or something missing/inadmissible for this decision.

I wonder what Baugher thinks about the deal.

As much as I would like to think he's pumping his fist in the air like he just scored a touchdown... I don't think he is doing that. 13 years (with good behavior) is a long time. 13 years ago he was in high school. 13 years from now... 2019... He will be 43.
Aside from the time, he will have to live with the fact he killed Stacie. A mother of two. One of those kids is so young he will only know mom by pictures... The other will soon be fighting time... As memories of mommy fade. That alone is a lot to live with.
I'm sure the jail experience has not been pleasant. But prison will be worse... Not knowing what to expect.