March 10, 2006

Judge Balks at Debra Lafave Plea Deal

(Ocala, Florida) Former middle school teacher Debra Lafave (pic) and her lawyer, John Fitzgibbons, listened attentively in Marion County Court yesterday as unsympathetic Judge Hale Stancil expressed his concerns regarding a plea deal negotiated between the defense and the prosecution. The plea agreement specified no jail time for a sex crime committed against a 14-year-old boy.

In addition to having questions about the criminal justice and education systems, Judge Stancil stated that he is seriously considering throwing out the plea agreement and sentencing Lafave in accordance with established guidelines, meaning 16.9 years in prison. Being undecided, Stancil postponed Lafave's sentencing for a week to ten days to allow himself more time to think about the case.

As a reminder, Lafave received no jail in adjacent Hillsborough County when she was sentenced for related crimes.

So, the soap opera continues as everyone waits to learn what Judge Stancil will decide.

From Interested-Participant.

By at 06:24 AM | |