RE: And the only reason I can think of his attorneys telling him that would be to take the death penalty off the table.
As DTL, and others before him, 'BS' Lavergne, will attempt to play the Justice System like a fiddle...imo
Due to the probability of BS Lavergne, never actually having to face the consequences of a death sentence by lethal injection, the automatic appeals, protective custody, & other many perks afforded him on death row.
Why would he negotiate a plea agreement? In his mind, he is holding all the cards..
'In the mind of a serial killer & how they rationalize after their arrest'..
In 2008 SK Gary Hilton, was asked by the Pickens Co, SC Sheriff(Jason Knapp investigation) how the other prisoners and guards treat him at the Jackson Max Security Prison, GA, where he is serving life W/O Parole for the abduction/murder of Meredith Emerson:
Convicted (serial killer) Gary Hilton's view, in his own words when asked how he feels about facing a death penalty trial in FL for the abduction/murder of FSU Cheryl Dunlap:
"No one messes with me here. They treat me real good."
"I've got my own T.V.'I READ'. I've got my meals cooked, served...the dishes are washed. My laundry is done....Hey, I love it!"
"I'm gonna f------ raise hell, total hell. I'm not gonna be happy unless it takes three to four years to go to trial. Unless we have a 1,000 person jury pool, and unless we have at least two changes of venue.
"And that's just to begin with (laughs)."