Hope Sykes arrested 1/20/2010

[panthera]

The youthful offender program in the state of Florida is not the same as being tried as a juvenile. The youthful offender program is for people under 21 and is used completely at the judge's choice. Basically puts a six year maximum and bootcamp/rehab program in place with strict strict drug testing and probation. All the details are posted in the Hope thread. But basically it give the judge options for young criminals that they think can be rehabbed with some structure in their lives and lets the judge get around mandatory minimums.

Thank you so much! I hadn't read the Hope thread through yet, and what was said on NG's show was confusing.

 

[luvthesleuths]

I still don't get why MC would tell Ron's cousin anything about Haleigh's disappearance, but who knows.........:waitasec:

MOO

The other thing I always have to remind myslef of all the time is....RC and MC had only been together for what..5 months!!!!

Haleigh was only in MC's life for mere months before this nightmare happened.

This group wasn't really this intertwined for years like it seems, just a few months. TC probably didn't even know Haleigh all that well, when his kids played with HC and Jr while MC was with Ron and he came over to smoke joints with his sister. How often could this have happened in a few months really.

NG saying Hope and MC are real close, doubt it, MC was only in the picture with the Cummings clan for a few months when haleigh went missing! Hope is RC cousin, MC met her through Ron I'd assume.

 

[lonetraveler]

In Hope's own words everyone else was suppose to plea the same way. Guess it didn't work that way.

Maryann123 when I first started reading here I always thought GMAB meant grab my azz behind. I finally looked it up.

My opinion? Pleading NOLO has always worked for Ron so she was taking his advice on how to plead and did not follow her attorney's advice. After all, Ron is her hero.

 

[bessie]

For those who might be wrestling with feelings of pity for Hope, maybe this will help you put it in perspective. Fifteen years greatly increases the likelihood that one less child will be born to another drug addicted and drug dealing mother. One less innocent will suffer the neglect and abuse that befall so many little ones born into that lifestyle. That thought cinched it for me.

 

[snowshuze]

March 3, 2005 NOLO on posession of Cannibis in excess of 20 grams
Plea accepted and adjudication of Guilt withheld.

March 10, 2006 NOLO on trespass

December 18, 2007 Pocession of Modern firearm during muzzle loading season.

I'm not even going prior to 2005 to search. I'm also not going to even cover the dismissed charges either because my blood pressure is going up. I'm just confused as to why Hope had a possession charge and now she is going to serve 15 years with a NOLO. I'm just saying: Ron is going to get either a laughable light sentence (he's a grieving father, yeah right) or his charges will be dismissed or he will get probation. I just have a feeling on this one.

If it's the same judge, I don't think he'll go lightly on Ronald. More dope than Hope. On video.

 

[Maryann123]

I can't wait until the shows transcript is posted. For the life of me, I can't remember the exact wording Tommy's attorney uses regarding his client, but he seems pleased about it. If Tommy knew what happened to Haleigh, and kept this information to himself for over a year, I can't imagine him being pleased. I think Tommy passed his poly, and LE is confident that he isn't involved. I think Tommy and his attorney are working with LE to get Misty to cough up the truth. Why couldn't Tommy hint around to his parents and brother, that he knows what happened, and he is talking? If LE has some vital information that only Misty and Ronald would know, and they get Tommy to repeat it, that info could scare the truth out of Misty. If Tommy is more involved than this, I can't imagine his attorney being so happy with him.

 

[raisincharlie]

Having some time to think about this sentence that was handed down today I have to say I think we have seen how the SA's office is going to be dealing with everyone, not just Hope. The SA played a bit of hardball today by playing back Hope's taped phone call. They went for the jugglar on an 18 year old kid that was basically riding about with the real culprits. That tape demonstrated her complete disregard for the law and her complete arrogance in her disrespect. Think back on all those other calls we have heard, and I suspect the SA will be playing some more tapes in court as the others each take their center stage appearances.

It seems sad that an 18 year old has meesed up this bad. But in good conscience, I can't find it in me to feel bad for her as I firmly believe this lifestyle is directly related to Haleigh being missing. For that, I can find no mercy.

 

[impatientredhead]

March 3, 2005 NOLO on posession of Cannibis in excess of 20 grams
Plea accepted and adjudication of Guilt withheld.

March 10, 2006 NOLO on trespass

December 18, 2007 Pocession of Modern firearm during muzzle loading season.

I'm not even going prior to 2005 to search. I'm also not going to even cover the dismissed charges either because my blood pressure is going up. I'm just confused as to why Hope had a possession charge and now she is going to serve 15 years with a NOLO. I'm just saying: Ron is going to get either a laughable light sentence (he's a grieving father, yeah right) or his charges will be dismissed or he will get probation. I just have a feeling on this one.

The difference is that Hope took a no contest on drug trafficking not drug possession. Drug trafficking carries mandatory minimums, 15 years in her case for the drug and the amount she was charged with.

Ron was charged with possession (not trafficking) in 2005 and was deemed to be eligible for treatment.

Ron may get around this set of charges like he has in the past, get them dropped, beat them at trial, cut a plea where he cops to a lesser charge, but he cannot be convicted of trafficking and get a slap on the wrist. He is too old for the youthful offenders program and I *believe* deferred prosecution for completion of treatment is a one time use of your get out of jail free card.

 

[Maryann123]

Nancy Grace slipped up tonight. She said something about getting "THEM" to talk. I think she was referring to Ronald and Misty. Just waiting on the transcript to pop up so I can get this straight in my mind.

 

[lonetraveler]

If it's the same judge, I don't think he'll go lightly on Ronald. More dope than Hope. On video.

I know I'm probably sounding like a broken record here but I do not feel that Ron will serve anything even near what Hope was sentenced. He has managed to slip like an eel throught the dragnet, so to speak, and I do not see things changing now for him. Teflon is indeed the correct adjective. I have no pity for any of them. You don't even want to know what I would give them as sentence. However, I do feel that Hope was given the impression from Ron that she could do as he did and get no time. She took his advice. She doesn't seem to have the Teflon coating like he does, though.

 

[Zoe Bogart]

Finally got to watch and am left with a question. Why was the supposition made that Hope and Misty were buds when Ron is her cousin and we clearly saw a little bit of hero worship going on during the phone call to her mother. She was gushing over seeing him. Just found that odd. MOO

Because NG makes assumptions. We have no proof Hope and Misty were best buds. It just adds drama for Nancy if they are.

 

[lonetraveler]

The difference is that Hope took a no contest on drug trafficking not drug possession. Drug trafficking carries mandatory minimums, 15 years in her case for the drug and the amount she was charged with.

Ron was charged with possession (not trafficking) in 2005 and was deemed to be eligible for treatment.

Ron may get around this set of charges like he has in the past, get them dropped, beat them at trial, cut a plea where he cops to a lesser charge, but he cannot be convicted of trafficking and get a slap on the wrist. He is too old for the youthful offenders program and I *believe* deferred prosecution for completion of treatment is a one time use of your get out of jail free card.

I see what you mean and I definitely agree with your last paragraph. However, if he slids through this like snail snot there should be a full SBI and FBI investigation into the judicial system in Putnam and St. John's Counties. Something stinks like rotten fish if he slides on this one. I will be closely watching just as I'm sure all of you will be.

 

[Adalena935]

My opinion; I expect the courts will put the rest of them away for a long time. Especially Misty & Ron. They have them on video committing these crimes. (Haven't followed the others so much)

 

[Zoe Bogart]

Thanks, everybody. I just read through the thread (no cable TV) and watched on youtube. I tried to watch live stream but it kept dying on me. I enjoyed reading all your comments. :wink:

 

[raisincharlie]

Whatever they pulled out of St. John's River (ie., concrete blocks or clothes, etc. will be sufficient), we can only hope!!

There are two things that Misty talked about that always stood out to me, mainly because Misty was much more annimated when talking about them.

One - the "favorite outfit" that Haleigh wore to school that day. There is a high likelyhood that Haleigh's teacher and perhaps even GGMa Sykes gave LE a description of these clothes, LE would have asked about it I have little doubt. LE would also know if those clothes were found in the mh when they had it.

Two - either a blanket or a sheet. No one can get over the pee blanket story, but I could not get past Misty talking about how she put a sheet over Haleigh.

JMO - after hearing that during this last search that someone had seen Misty in that neighborhood (Shell Harbour area) with a trash bag, I do find myself wondering if what LE was looking for was a blanket, sheet, or those clothes.

 

[Kat]

I see what you mean and I definitely agree with your last paragraph. However, if he slids through this like snail snot there should be a full SBI and FBI investigation into the judicial system in Putnam and St. John's Counties. Something stinks like rotten fish if he slides on this one. I will be closely watching just as I'm sure all of you will be.

Call me crazy LT. But I think that the sentences that are handed down to the other players, might.---just maybe---give us insight into who LE might be lookin' at? KWIM? Just a thought..and not thought well through at that.

 

[Emeralgem]

Personally, I think that Tommy is going off of what he was told by Misty because Haleigh was dead when he got to the Mh and Ron wasn't there.

I agree with everything except the location... I suspect the incident didn't happen at the MH..

 

[Searchfortruth]

I wonder if Misty gave the blanket story so that when it was found w/ Haleigh (if it was), she could say the blanket was clean, when I went to sleep at 10 (I had just washed it). Of course, the blanket wouldn't be clean when LE found it, if it was covering Haleigh.

 

[Lynni]

Well, after today's sentencing, I hope they throw the book at MC. It would serve her little arrogant butt right.

Hope gets no sympathy from me. She's involved in dealing drugs and she needs to pay the penalty for what she did.

 

[raisincharlie]

Wow. That Judge just sent a LOUD AND CLEAR message that he is not messing around with these guys. Usually, a defendant pleads "no contest" to get a reduced sentence. I cannot remember ever hearing of a defendant pleading "no contest" and getting the full sentence.

The judge didn't hand down the sentence because he wanted to, he handed it down because he had to under FL statutes based on her score sheet. The LOUD and CLEAR message was sent by the SA's office as they are the one's who played the tape and refused to let her off. This tells me that everyone of them are in deeper trouble than they realize - the SA is not backing off anyone it appears.