2010.05.13 -Ronald & Hank Jr. Hearing: Ron negotiating for 15yr sentence, Trial 7/19

[Kimster]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/23541441/detail.html

- A Putnam County judge has set a tentative trial date of July 19 for Ronald Cummings on his drug trafficking charges.

Cummings' lawyer said Thursday he expects a plea deal to be reached before then.<snipped>

 

[lonetraveler]

Yes, he was going to be one of her character witnesses. I can't type that without laughing. Could this be the state's way of getting him to attend the trials/hearings of Misty and Tommy like he did at Hope's sentencing? Seems like he's playing into their hands. They may not call him for M & C, but just let him watch, then tell him, oops, sorry. No testimony, no bargain. Maybe?

LOL, you can't type this without laughing and I can't read it without laughing!

 

[4Jacy]

Were TN, GGS et al in court today. tia

 

[aoibhinn]

Yes, he was going to be one of her character witnesses. I can't type that without laughing. (lol by me too) Could this be the state's way of getting him to attend the trials/hearings of Misty and Tommy like he did at Hope's sentencing? Seems like he's playing into their hands. They may not call him for M & C, but just let him watch, then tell him, oops, sorry. No testimony, no bargain. Maybe?

Thanks for clearing that up. So there is a difference.
This is so strange and I'm presuming he's doing this on the advice of his attorney. Why, in his own mind, does he have to be present at all these hearings? Doesn't it make him look like the leader or something? I don't get his motivations, at all.

 

[Helplessly Hoping]

Gotta wonder what Werter and Tommy are talking about at this point. Bet its not the weather.

 

[cluciano63]

I never believe defense attorneys' version of things. If LE cuts a deal with RC, I doubt it will be for any reason other than to avoid a trial, they may feel 15 years on this is enough for now while they continue to investigate Haleigh's case, at least it would keep him behind bars until he is 40 or so. I can't LE using him as a wtiness in a cse where they are hoping to obtain maximum sentence on Misty and Tommy, and I can't see RC riskng his neck by having his sentencing deferred until after those two are sentenced...he wants 15 years, not a chance at 15 years, IMO...

 

[grandmaj]

An attempt stalled Wednesday to make a deal with the state, said Terry Shoemaker, who is representing Cummings. He said Cummings will agree to testify at trials of Misty Croslin, who was briefly married to Cummings, and her brother, Hank "Tommy" Croslin Jr.

http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/...father-negotiating-15-year-sentence-drug-case

This tells me that the State might have a better deal in the works. Hmmmmmmm

 

[Missingmeds]

That or they all knew that Tommy would be in Putnam County sitting in a room where he could hear everything that was going on and this is their way of getting information back to Misty that Ron is going to testify against her.

I don't think that the state would agree to a single 15 year sentence on several drug charges and I don't believe that the judge would agree to it either. Plus there are the mandatory mins to deal with in all the drug cases.

Nope I have to think this is just another way that LE is trying to get Misty to talk about what happened to Haleigh.

 

[Peliman]

Cummings' testimony would relate only to the drug-trafficking case, Shoemaker said, and would not involve his missing child, who authorities now presume is dead.

No Deal

Two of the five charges - involving trafficking in larger amounts of prescription drugs - carry a minimum sentence of 25 years. Shoemaker said the tentative deal in the works involves dropping those two, more severe charges.

No Deal

Don't forget Shoemaker, a $250,000 mandatory fine and maybe $500,000 for the bigger charges.

I'm thinking RC is in the trick bag and hasn't got the SA's attention yet.

 

[Quiche]

No matter what, this deal is going to reach Misty... perhaps its sole design is to snap her the he!! out of it! :banghead:

 

[gibby207]

Cummings' testimony would relate only to the drug-trafficking case, Shoemaker said, and would not involve his missing child, who authorities now presume is dead.

http://www.thesky973.com/pages/7040540.php

Gee I wonder why that is?

If Ronald testifies against Misty in the drug case does he think she won't give him up in the missing Haleigh case. Ohhhh now this is very interesting........

Ron may be gambling that Misty is not going to turn on him.

BBM: Shoemaker said.

 

[Kimster]

No matter what, this deal is going to reach Misty... perhaps its sole design is to snap her the he!! out of it! :banghead:

If Misty is involved, nothing will snap her out of it, IMO. Why confess to a murder when you can go to prison on drug charges instead? LE may just want to send her to prison with the longest sentence possible for that reason.

 

[grandmaj]

But what if Misty didn't hurt Haleigh. What if she really was not the one to harm Haleigh but has been covering. Surely that sentence would be less than the drug charges right?

 

[Kimster]

But what if Misty didn't hurt Haleigh. What if she really was not the one to harm Haleigh but has been covering. Surely that sentence would be less than the drug charges right?

Yes, but she isn't the one negotiating a plea as far as we know. That makes me suspect she is guilty in Haleigh's case, or else her attorney is not one to speak out - one of the two.

We are still in the dark.

 

[Peliman]

If Misty is involved, nothing will snap her out of it, IMO. Why confess to a murder when you can go to prison on drug charges instead? LE may just want to send her to prison with the longest sentence possible for that reason.

They already got Misty on the drug charges, it's just not official yet. I'd think since it's Misty's first arrest as an adult she could possibly be considered for drug court if her memory improved about what happened to Haleigh.

In fact if it was accidental or she became willing to testify against others (verified) she maybe eligible for parole in a much shorter time.

The time for Misty to start dealing (using her attorneys) is now. If she remains uncooperative, I doubt the judge will be sympathetic to her plight.

 

[cyberborg]

My sense is that this plea deal negotiation is being driven by Shoemaker/Ron.

If LE were to entertain a plea deal it would be for verifiable statements on HaLeigh, lets face it -- they have the drug deals on tape so don't need a player to testify. GMAB.

Either Ron is seeking to reduce his sentence and is offering this but given the lack of deal LE want more, HaLeigh -OR- LE are teasing Ron with a plea in return for HaLeigh.

LE have egg on their faces given the runaround they have had with Misty and the recent search -- they need a result and will do anything to obtain it. LE do not need help on the drug bust prosecution IMO or it going to trial -- they will be short and sweet.

 

[Quiche]

If Misty is involved, nothing will snap her out of it, IMO. Why confess to a murder when you can go to prison on drug charges instead? LE may just want to send her to prison with the longest sentence possible for that reason.

Oh, I think Misty was involved all right, but I also believe she was a lackey-- following orders to cover for her beloved. At this point, she has nothing to lose. She is going to spend the majority of her life in prison on the drug charges alone-- taking the fall for the murder of a child? Well, it's the principle of the thing... why should the real perps go free and enjoy an entire lifetime on the outside? Will Ron's willingness to testify against her bring about the realization that the devotion only travels one way-- toward Ron?

I think she's involved, no doubt about it, but she didn't act alone, no way. mo

 

[raisincharlie]

An attempt stalled Wednesday to make a deal with the state, said Terry Shoemaker, who is representing Cummings. He said Cummings will agree to testify at trials of Misty Croslin, who was briefly married to Cummings, and her brother, Hank "Tommy" Croslin Jr.

http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/...father-negotiating-15-year-sentence-drug-case

This tells me that the State might have a better deal in the works. Hmmmmmmm

Ron agreed to testify against Misty and Tommy in the drug trials, so no reason for it to be stalled the day before his pre-trial hearing. Unless of course the SA wants more than testimony about drugs. Just saying. His plea deal is not about drugs IMO.

 

[TrialAddict]

What can Ron say that LE doesn't all ready know about the drug bust and Misty and Tommy's involvement it it?

 

[Kimster]

Speaking after a hearing before Circuit Judge Terry LaRue in Palatka Thursday morning, attorney Terry Shoemaker said Cummings, 26, will likely agree to plead to three of five charges. Each of those three charges carries a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 15 years.

Two of the five charges - involving trafficking in larger amounts of prescription drugs - carry a minimum sentence of 25 years. Shoemaker said the tentative deal in the works involves dropping those two, more severe charges. The plea deal might be completed by July 1, he said. Cummings would agree to testify against his co-defendants and would be sentenced after those case went to trial.<snipped>BBM

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100513/ARTICLES/100519729/1002