2 for 2

vegasgroom

Yes, Delta saw fit to give me an upgrade on both legs of my flight to Vegas today; I've got a drink in hand somewhere over the country with an hour to go.

Less exciting news, with 48 hours notice, the Clark County DA's office decided they did not need me to appear as a witness in the trial (tomorrow) of the people my wife and I tracked down that stole our luggage in March.  I talked to an attorney friend in Vegas, since it's impossible to actually contact anyone with knowledge of a case at the DA's office, and he said typically this means that the prosecutor and defendant(s) have reached a plea bargain so the hearing that will be occurring tomorrow is a formality to announce the plea and then a sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date.

That really pissed me off because I'm thinking a plea bargain means the prosecutor allowed the issue to be negotiated down to something the defendants were happy with, not the other way around, and these guys had obviously become quite well versed at stealing luggage, drugs (found at their apt) and who knows what else.  So I paid for my own ticket out and am going to go the trial anyway and make sure the prosecutor knows who I am and why I'm there before it starts, perhaps it will make him reconsider whatever wrist slap they all partnered up on.

nursing2u

I wouldve done the exact same thing.. So they can put a face to the cae.. Not just luggage.
How would they feel if it were their belongings that were stolen.

WHOOP WHOOP ON THE RT UPGRADE!!!

[Deleted User]

I work in the criminal justice field, and normally if there is a victim, they don't approve plea agreements unless approved by the victim. I can't believe they didn't contact you if that's the case. Are you guys the only victims? What was he charged with? Also, normally in state court, plea agreements are made with the defendant being aware of the sentence and the sentence gets carried out right then and there. Of course each court is different...I work in TN and that's how things are here. Now in federal court the defendant pleads guilty and the judge imposes a sentence, where in state court during pleas the judge approves the agreement between the parties.
Hope all goes well - and you did the right thing by going...victims get left out of the loop too much!

Keep us posted!

[Deleted User]

Good luck VG, the justice system sucks. And once again I'm jealous of you going to Vegas!

vegasgroom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_2-for-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:34801b2a-d7b4-40f5-aa33-892c5ea95904Post:951bcdde-f677-4165-99ea-47822f634184">Re: 2 for 2</a>:
[QUOTE]I work in the criminal justice field, and normally if there is a victim, they don't approve plea agreements unless approved by the victim. I can't believe they didn't contact you if that's the case. Are you guys the only victims? What was he charged with?
Posted by germanlinda[/QUOTE]

As far as I know, burglary, grand theft and sale of stolen goods.  There are two of them, one has a year in prison previously and was on probation, the other is first time offender.  I guess I'll find out what is really going down in the morning.  I'm up $350 at the craps table, ate lunch at Chart House, heading to Vic & Anthony's for a lobster tail in a little bit, then Zzzzzzz. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" />  Oh yeah, had a $3 vodka/redbull at the Fremont Casino too on the way to Walgreens for water bottles lol; great drink prices in there, and strong.