Found Deceased FL - Madeline Soto, 13, Missing Child Alert, 13500 blk Town Loop Blvd, Orlando, 26 Feb 2024 *arrest* #7

[SimplyCass]

Man he really is gonna go with not guilty

ETA: can’t wait to hear the defense

I know it sounds ridiculous, but from what I understand, if he were to plead guilty, that leaves open the door that it could be overturned/set aside on appeal due to ineffective assistance of counsel. I am inclined to let the process play out, however long it takes, so that it does not need to be retried again. It's not a guarantee - nothing is - but I'd prefer not for this to be tossed for such a spurious reason.

 

[photoprose1122]

I know it sounds ridiculous, but from what I understand, if he were to plead guilty, that leaves open the door that it could be overturned/set aside on appeal due to ineffective assistance of counsel. I am inclined to let the process play out, however long it takes, so that it does not need to be retried again. It's not a guarantee - nothing is - but I'd prefer not for this to be tossed for such a spurious reason.

I think we’re all inclined to let the process play out. I just was pointing out the absurdity of a not guilty plea. But there are plenty of reasons defense might counsel him to plead that way, it just appears ridiculous given the mountain of evidence against him.

 

[IzzyBlanche]

I know it sounds ridiculous, but from what I understand, if he were to plead guilty, that leaves open the door that it could be overturned/set aside on appeal due to ineffective assistance of counsel. I am inclined to let the process play out, however long it takes, so that it does not need to be retried again. It's not a guarantee - nothing is - but I'd prefer not for this to be tossed for such a spurious reason.

BBMFF.

But wouldn't that be a reason for him to plead guilty? In hopes that it could be overturned/set aside later?

 

[IzzyBlanche]

Maybe you mean that if he pleads not guilty and is found guilty, he can appeal on the grounds of ineffective counsel.

 

[Boxer]

I think we’re all inclined to let the process play out. I just was pointing out the absurdity of a not guilty plea. But there are plenty of reasons defense might counsel him to plead that way, it just appears ridiculous given the mountain of evidence against him.

I believe "not guilty" is always submited by the defense lawyer but is often just their opening gambit to try and get a plea deal.

 

[photoprose1122]

I believe "not guilty" is always submited by the defense lawyer but is often just their opening gambit to try and get a plea deal.

Yeah I wondered that - the only plea deal I could see though is taking DP off the table for a guilty plea. Not a lot of leverage to work with on the defense’s side.

 

[CuriousCricket]

I believe "not guilty" is always submited by the defense lawyer but is often just their opening gambit to try and get a plea deal.

I believe negotiations can and occasionally do continue up until time of trial, and if defendant changes mind, the trial can be halted and def. can agree to accept a plea deal on the table before opening arguments.

By pleading guilty, the def. agrees there are no appeals. He did it, he's willing to do the time. No appeals, no technicalities, no loopholes or inept lawyers.

A Guilty verdict by a jury leaves many years of looking for loopholes and challenges to the verdict in attempts to free the defendant.

 

[photoprose1122]

Lawyers for man charged with Madeline Soto’s death asks to review evidence from prosecution

Lawyers for the man accused of killing a local teenager are now asking prosecutors for all the evidence in the case.

www.wftv.com

Not much of an update, but SS lawyers have requested state evidence to be turned over for their review in the next two weeks.

 

[Mack the Knife]

Lawyers for man charged with Madeline Soto’s death asks to review evidence from prosecution

Lawyers for the man accused of killing a local teenager are now asking prosecutors for all the evidence in the case.

www.wftv.com

Not much of an update, but SS lawyers have requested state evidence to be turned over for their review in the next two weeks.

Sort of weird framing of an article. Of course the defense is asking for all the state's evidence.

The real news is that, as stated by Will Jay of the State Attorney's office, now that the defense has filed for discovery, the media can begin to make public records requests to get information about the facts of the case.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Sort of weird framing of an article. Of course the defense is asking for all the state's evidence.

The real news is that, as stated by Will Jay of the State Attorney's office, now that the defense has filed for discovery, the media can begin to make public records requests to get information about the facts of the case.

I thought it was weird too since, of course they're going to make that request.
And God help them. If I had to defend a client with the kind of evidence they're going to have to look at, I'd quit in a heartbeat. No way that'd ever happen. Some things you just can't unsee.

 

[photoprose1122]

Sort of weird framing of an article. Of course the defense is asking for all the state's evidence.

The real news is that, as stated by Will Jay of the State Attorney's office, now that the defense has filed for discovery, the media can begin to make public records requests to get information about the facts of the case.

Yeah - not much else to report right now

 

[Black Diamond]

I thought it was weird too since, of course they're going to make that request.
And God help them. If I had to defend a client with the kind of evidence they're going to have to look at, I'd quit in a heartbeat. No way that'd ever happen. Some things you just can't unsee.

Public defender, poor guy probably has no say in the matter.

 

[BeeGirl]

Public defender, poor guy probably has no say in the matter.

Public defenders are a different breed, I have no idea how they do what they do. Every single one I have met is tough, smart, and has a kindness about them rarely seen in the legal field (and surprising for how much darkness they see!)

I know that we all hope SS goes under the jail but the checks and balances of the justice system are important to make sure everyone’s constitutional rights are observed so that there are no questions when the sentence is imposed.

The lawyers - on both sides - have a very tough role here to make sure justice is swift and fair. I am keeping all of them on my heart through this, too, because it cannot be easy on any of them.

 

[Stormi76]

In this context, he means additional factors on top of premeditated murder that would potentially qualify this to be a death penalty case, or potentially warrant the prosecution seeking the death penalty.

In Florida, a jury must unanimously agree that at least one qualifying "aggravating factor" exists in order to impose the death penalty. Here are the aggravating factors:

(d) is obviously the big one here, but depending on facts we don't know, possible (h) or (i) could come in to play.

(l) does not apply because MS was not less than 12 years of age, but there has been discussion if SS could be sentenced to death for sexual battery of a minor under the age of 12, in his other case. I tend to think no, because the law did not exist at the time the crime was committed (ie. the law did not exist until Maddie was 12), but as far as I know, no one "official" has weighed in to comment.

in FL they only need 8 out of 12 to impose the DP now.

 

[daybreaking]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed>
I'd guess his attorney is going to try to get all the evidence taken from his phone thrown out as inadmissible due to how/when it was collected. An insanity defense seems out of the question due to the length of time that the abuse occurred over, unless his lawyer is planning on blaming some medicine that he was on. Just my opinion.

 

[photographer4]

Sort of weird framing of an article. Of course the defense is asking for all the state's evidence.

The real news is that, as stated by Will Jay of the State Attorney's office, now that the defense has filed for discovery, the media can begin to make public records requests to get information about the facts of the case.

I bet his lawyers want to know the same things we all wanna know. Where was mum and what if any role did she have? Will she be testifying as a witness or charged as a co-accused.

 

[Cool Cats]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed>

Everything on the phone is already time stamped and the photos are set in a certain past time period.
Even I can often tell an AI generated photo and FBI specialists can smell BS 100 miles away.

The FBI CAST technology is incredible in scope. Has been putting bad guys away for years.

2 Cents

 

[Wishbone]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed>

Everything on the phone is already time stamped and the photos are set in a certain past time period.
Even I can often tell an AI generated photo and FBI specialists can smell BS 100 miles away.

2 Cents

Not to forget the photos depict SS in the process of molesting a minor. <modsnip - referenced post was also removed>....he has no defense

 

[Cool Cats]

Not to forget the photos depict SS in the process of molesting a minor. I<modsnip - referenced post was removed>.....he has no defense

<modsnip - quoted post was snipped>The phone evidence will bury him

Hot Topic in Forensics: The FBI Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST)​

https://www.raquinmercer.com/blog/2017/04/hot-topic-in-forensics-the-fbi-cellular-analysis-survey-team-cast/

The strong demand in criminal cases for historical cellular location information has created opportunities for law enforcement to extend the limits of what is possible. The FBI Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST) is promoting a new methodology that it claims greatly improves the precision of historical cell sector analysis.

The FBI CAST says it can dramatically enhance location accuracy using the historical cell site sector information plus timing information inherent in a cellular network.

 

[Observant-ADHD-ENFP-BSc]

Do we have any ideas on what kind of defence he will use?
Any excuse he gives will be a lie or an embellished version of a half-truth (aka, a lie), so what on earth will he say?
I do not remember who, I'm sorry, but someone posted that the not guilty is just a procedure regarding the next judicial phase.
What does that that mean, in the grand scheme of things? As in what decision is made off the NG plea at this stage when he clearly has no excuse? What benefit does it give him towards anything to plead NG at this stage?
ETA: Clarified question