What a nasty, tangled web...which ensnared a poor little child:
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_18766846?source=rss
Child molester balks at long sentence, tries to withdraw no-contest plea
August 27, 2011
"A man who became the target of alleged vigilantism after admitting he molested his friend's 8-year-old stepdaughter on Thanksgiving balked Friday at taking a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for 22 years...."
and
"...[Avelino] Rodriguez surprised the court Friday by announcing he wants to withdraw his no-contest plea to the child molestation charge and start all over again with a new lawyer despite his letter of apology to the girl...."
and
"...Meanwhile, the girl's stepfather, Miguel Cerda, and uncle Erik Cerda have been charged with torture for allegedly whipping Rodriguez and burning him with a cigarette in retaliation for duct-taping the girl's mouth shut and molesting her in the middle of the night. They now face seven years to life -- potentially more time than Rodriguez was set to serve...."
and
"...The stiff penalty for the alleged violent reaction to what many would consider extreme provocation has touched off a debate about whether the brothers deserve leniency...."
more at link
I asked about this very issue yesterday. A CA social worker, Gregory Winsell, pleaded no contest with the agreement that he'd get probation, rather than prison time. I wondered if a judge could change his mind at the last second as the child *advertiser censored* charges were really quite serious and he was in a position of authority over children. I guess judges can.
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_18766846?source=rss
Child molester balks at long sentence, tries to withdraw no-contest plea
August 27, 2011
"A man who became the target of alleged vigilantism after admitting he molested his friend's 8-year-old stepdaughter on Thanksgiving balked Friday at taking a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for 22 years...."
and
"...[Avelino] Rodriguez surprised the court Friday by announcing he wants to withdraw his no-contest plea to the child molestation charge and start all over again with a new lawyer despite his letter of apology to the girl...."
and
"...Meanwhile, the girl's stepfather, Miguel Cerda, and uncle Erik Cerda have been charged with torture for allegedly whipping Rodriguez and burning him with a cigarette in retaliation for duct-taping the girl's mouth shut and molesting her in the middle of the night. They now face seven years to life -- potentially more time than Rodriguez was set to serve...."
and
"...The stiff penalty for the alleged violent reaction to what many would consider extreme provocation has touched off a debate about whether the brothers deserve leniency...."
more at link
I asked about this very issue yesterday. A CA social worker, Gregory Winsell, pleaded no contest with the agreement that he'd get probation, rather than prison time. I wondered if a judge could change his mind at the last second as the child *advertiser censored* charges were really quite serious and he was in a position of authority over children. I guess judges can.
