IMO, Misty is following counsel's advice. She was saying what Fields told her to say. She didn't just blurt that stuff out - she was counseled, and (even per MSM) that was Fields' tack & strategy when he argued on behalf of his client at the sentencing hearing - the bit about she wouldn't bet there if not for the Haleigh case. Fields argued and Misty followed his lead, apparently.
Until I have a transcript, I can't be certain.
But...it does seem Fields chose not to do much assertive defense and argument on Misty's behalf. (No psych experts on PTSD (rape), no one helping Misty tell her sad story to the judge, no one explaining her desperate situation (other than Lisa), no one arguing that a program of education and training is what a kid Misty's age needs to turn it around - requesting leniency given her lack of record - and her arrest occurring just at her 18th b-day ... )
Why would Haleigh's case even be an issue at drug court - why would Fields bring this up in this hearing? Why wasn't he taking that higher road of argument for leniency towards Misty - working the other approach such as: Misty is so sorry, so distraught and devastated over Haleigh, she loved her so, there was so much pressure on Misty, and given the circumstances she could not get employment, no family support, had relied on her vows and her 2nd family (Cummings), then was kicked out of Ron's family, she lost Junior too,... blah blah blah...
I just don't understand why he wouldn't go for broke - (what's to lose?) - why not go for the YO status on his client's behalf. I haven't been able to figure this out. I would like to know why. Misty's demeanor was strange too...
Then we have Flo saying that Misty knew she'd get the max min of 25 before going in to the sentencing hearing. If we choose to believe Flo
innocent
- then we have to think that there is a REASON Misty "knew" this. If Misty "knew" this, then how? If Misty knew the outcome, then why the storytelling time with the judge? To make sure it was 25 years and not more?
Misty was grilled by investigators, IIRC - and very recently - just before this sentencing hearing. I wonder what Fields arranged for her during that questioning. Did Misty ask for her counsel to be present? What additional information did she give up? Was Fields present for that interrogation? Did Misty/Fields try to make a deal on Haleigh's case? Did she offer up something and yes, make a deal on Haleigh's case? Did she give up the killer and cop to accessory? Was Misty's story shot down with further evidence against Misty that makes Misty's 25 year sentence a no-brainer since she'll soon be charged in Haleigh's death?
Again, I'm just really puzzled as to these things. Why Fields seems not to be fighting for Misty during sentencing... And why Misty "knew" she'd get 25 years prior to the sentencing hearing. (per her family members).
I tend not to think it's because Fields is incompetent or lazy. I tend to think it's because he and Misty know something we don't.
It makes me wonder if Misty's copped to accessory - and the drug stuff is just meaningless now...:waitasec:
Why were Teresa & GGMS there? (They're here because of Haleigh - per that judge.) Why would the Judge say that if this was, in fact, a drug sentencing hearing? The judge concedes Haleigh's family's vested interest in Misty's sentencing with that comment. Hmmm... :waitasec: I feel that's unusual, and the Judge would not do that if she didn't also understand something we don't.
But then again... if they are supporting Haleigh by being there - and they know Misty's going to be sentenced, and Tommy's been sentenced - why the need to threaten Croslins in elevators?
So many questions. All making too long of a post...
Thanks for letting me noodle a bit...
:cow: