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The jury found him guilty of second degree murder with aggravating circumstances.I didn't phrase that correctly.
Is he guilty of "second degree murder" or "second degree murder with aggravating circumstances"?
SBMAs I understand it, they only had to find one of the four factors for it to be considered "second-degree murder with aggravating circumstances." What I don't understand yet is whether only one aggravating circumstance is sufficient for maximum sentencing guidelines of the time to apply, or if there is any sort of "additive" factor that provides for a longer sentence to be considered for each individual aggravating circumstance.
I remember being surprised when he called Aaron out to join us, placing the 3½-year-old boy on his lap, so he'd be on camera, and asking his tow-headed son, "Where's Mommy? Where's Mommy?"
Little Aaron gazing up at his daddy, and answered, "She's not here."
Something just wasn't right. I left feeling certain that the young woman could not have left her beautiful boy. As a young mother myself, it just didn't seem possible.
First Coast News will be live-streaming the sentencing hearing starting at 9 a.m.
He breaks my heart!Florida Times-Union journalist Anne Schindler has posted Aaron Fraser's Victim Impact statement here:
Judge sentences Michael Haim to life in prison for wife's deathA judge in Duval County Tuesday departed from old sentencing guidelines when he ordered Michael Haim to spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of his wife. Bonnie Haim was killed in 1993. Guidelines for second-degree murder at the time suggested a sentence ranging from seven to 22 years. Michael Haim was found guilty of second-degree murder in April. A trial court may not depart from the guideline’s recommendation unless it is explained in writing. At a little past 9 a.m. Tuesday, Judge Steven Whittington said he had much to consider before concluding that he could depart from the guidelines. Whittington then presented his 11-page sentencing order to the assistant state attorneys as well as Haim’s defense team before telling him he was being sentenced to life in prison.
Bonnie Haim would have turned 50 Monday. She was 23 when she was killed.
A judge in Duval County Tuesday departed from old sentencing guidelines when he ordered Michael Haim to spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of his wife. Bonnie Haim was killed in 1993. Guidelines for second-degree murder at the time suggested a sentence ranging from seven to 22 years. Michael Haim was found guilty of second-degree murder in April. A trial court may not depart from the guideline’s recommendation unless it is explained in writing. At a little past 9 a.m. Tuesday, Judge Steven Whittington said he had much to consider before concluding that he could depart from the guidelines. Whittington then presented his 11-page sentencing order to the assistant state attorneys as well as Haim’s defense team before telling him he was being sentenced to life in prison.
There is a judge who truly cares, IMO.