8/20 Ron takes plea, will testify in Haleighs trial

[azwriter]

Here is a link to video footage of the court proceedings, the SA is shown reading the terms of the plea deal.
I am starting to wonder if the state knows Ron is involved in Haleigh's disappearance somehow and are trying to trip him up. If he does not testify truthfully or gives any sworn statements, depositions, etc. that contain lies they can disprove he can be charged with the 2 charges that were dropped and be sentenced to the max. sentence CONSECUTIVELY.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video...Details+of+Ronald+Cummings'+Plea/591024107001

I certainly enjoyed this post twall. Thanks for bringing forth the idea the state might be trying to trip up Ron. Anthing at this point is possible.

I believe the drug sentencing is small compared to what the state has in store for Ron concerning what happened to his daughter. Let Ron be sentenced to 2 minutes for his drug charges. After all, I'm hoping there is the possibility that within a day or two after he's sentenced that LE will bring charges on Haleigh's case on Ron and a several others.

The thing is, they now have Ron promising he will answer question under oath. This can only be a good thing when it comes to bringing justice to a little girl whose life ended way too soon. jmo

 

[passionflower]

I will never believe anything that comes out of Ron & families mouths.........I do believe they are liars all of them. JMOO

 

[Helplessly Hoping]

EXCELLENT POST AZ!! You have touched on what my theory in this has been from the very begining (as you know) and I posted a little of my feelings about this case in the General Theory thread when I first started posting here. I believe RC was dealing drugs and possibly illegal guns long before HaLeigh went missing. I also believe that during one of his deals, he double crossed the wrong person and HaLeigh's abduction was the result...a revenge. I also believe that TN, GGMA, MC and ToC (and maybe others) know about the double cross. They may not know exactly who the person is that actually took HaLeigh, but they know why. I have long believed that is the reason for the cover up.

I believe RC, TN and GGMS have kept quiet to protect RC from being caught in his illegal activities and doing serious time for Federal charges, and because the others know about it they had to be brought into the cover up as well. MC has not told everything she knows, we all know that. It was the voice analysis tape that showed deception when she was asked if RC could be responsible. I believe the deception was because in her mind he didn't actually hurt HaLeigh but she may have felt that he was responsible because of his actions. I believe TC kept quiet because he was afraid if he talked, his children could also be in danger.

In the beginning the Cummings all kept MC very close and scripted every word she said. That was most obvious in the interview they did in NY. When she was asked for an explanation for her discrepancies, her eyes went immediately to RC for an answer. When he didn't respond, she simply said "I don't know."

IMVHO, RC is indirectly responsible for what happened to HaLeigh, and they are all covering it up. I don't think it is any more complicated than that...it only became complicated when they all started lying.

All of this, of course, is just MY OPINION for what it's worth.

I really agree here. I have long thought it possible that Ron pizzed off (or worse) the wrong guy and/or people and Haleigh was taken for revenge. I struggle with Misty even being home as she went from saying Haleigh was in pajamas to tan shorts to whatever else. SHE didn't KNOW what Haleigh had on. Now if he did rob a drug dealer, and they all saw Haleigh was gone--that's a lot of incentive to keep quiet.

But, I can't rule out accidental od or Haleigh caught in the middle of something either. All just thinking out loud.

 

[Blaise]

What I wouldn't give for a rogue judge who sez, 'the deal sucks. all 5 counts. 90 yrs.'

Ain't gonna happen, but a girl can dream . . .

Blaise

 

[azwriter]

snipped for space and BBM

. I think the key word here is "Truthful" and I don't think Mr Cummings can tell the truth even if his life depended upon it .

I just had to see this in print once again, snowbunny.

 

[SoSueMe]

Papa, is it possible that the SA just setup Mr Cummings with this plea deal? In otherwards, the SA could use this plea deal to choke Mr Cummings knowing that he cannot fulfill his obligation with his plea and therefore in the end the plea deal will be taken off the table and Mr Cummings will have to face these charges after all. I cannot see the SA allowing Mr Cummings to have the upper hand over them. I personally think Mr Cummings just got himself setup by the SA without his knowledge and the SA will use this plea deal as a leverage to squeeze Mr Cummings hard and in the end Mr Cummings will not have a smirk on his face and will be sitting behind bars for an extremely long time. At least one can hope. I think the key word here is "Truthful" and I don't think Mr Cummings can tell the truth even if his life depended upon it and the SA knows this and will use it. Another thought would be that the SA is using this plea deal to put the squeeze on the other players in this case as well to get them to rat the others out to tell the truth finally.

[BBM]

Great post. Another key word they used was SUBSTANTIAL testimony.

 

[Chablis]

So, he wasn't going to testify at the trial just because its the right thing to do, he needed a deal?

Poor, poor Haleigh.

 

[SoSueMe]

I always believed that Ron was apart of that drug sting, and I still believe that. It's just, at first I thought it was because he had direct involvement in his daughters death but now I think it is because LE knew that Ron knew what happened to his daughter or at least had enough information to help their case. But they never could get Ron to talk. So what would be the reason Ron had to keep quiet about what happened to his daughter?

[Snipped]

So now I guess RON is the key? :banghead:

And what's with Shoemaker's statement that he thinks Ron has already told LE everything he knows? Then just what was worth 50 years to the SA?

 

[LillieBelle]

He could've been called to testify, but there was no way to guarantee what his testimony would include. Other than initial interviews with LE after Haleigh disappeared, I don't recall that Ron made any subsequent statements under oath. He could've stuck with, "I don't know nuthin'. I was at werk", or claimed a faulty memory. The drug charges give the SA leverage to secure the desired testimony.

Or...it is a sham. Ron really does have connections, and the SA was going to cut him a deal, regardless. The promised testimony is just a way to avoid backlash from the public. The problem with that notion is the drug sting. Let's say LE didn't know Ron would get in on the act -- which is a pretty far fetched notion -- why did the UC continue to pursue them once he did? Why not just bust them the first time Ron participated? They only sold the UC like seven, maybe nine pills. The charge could've easily been dropped, and teflon Ron would've walked away unscathed once again. Nah, I believe LE wanted a chokehold on Ron because they knew that was the only way they'd get him to open up with information about Haleigh. JMO

Maybe there are two different LE groups in play here. One, the ones that wanted to get RC, and one group that will do anything in their power to protect RC... something hinky in Putnam County...imho

 

[Concerned Papa]

Papa, is it possible that the SA just setup Mr Cummings with this plea deal? In otherwards, the SA could use this plea deal to choke Mr Cummings knowing that he cannot fulfill his obligation with his plea and therefore in the end the plea deal will be taken off the table and Mr Cummings will have to face these charges after all. I cannot see the SA allowing Mr Cummings to have the upper hand over them. I personally think Mr Cummings just got himself setup by the SA without his knowledge and the SA will use this plea deal as a leverage to squeeze Mr Cummings hard and in the end Mr Cummings will not have a smirk on his face and will be sitting behind bars for an extremely long time. At least one can hope. I think the key word here is "Truthful" and I don't think Mr Cummings can tell the truth even if his life depended upon it and the SA knows this and will use it. Another thought would be that the SA is using this plea deal to put the squeeze on the other players in this case as well to get them to rat the others out to tell the truth finally.

BBM

Is it possible? IMO, it's a fact.

 

[Concerned Papa]

In my scenario, above, I hypothezised that Ron's lawyer said he would testify if his charges would be reduced. That's what good lawyers do - speak for their clients and try to get the best deal for them.

I believe that he loves his daughter and does care a great deal about seeing justice for her. We have no idea if Ron passed his LDT or not since we haven't been given that information. However, the fact that he was offered a plea deal says that his testimony has some credibility, which implies that he was truthful. It also implies that he was not involved in the abduction of his daughter. In contrast, I think the reason neither Misty or Tommy were offered plea deals is that they have lied so much that their testimony would not have much credibility, and that LE may feel they have some degree of guilt.

It makes sense to assume that Ron would follow the lead of his lawyer. If his lawyer made a successful effort to reduce his drug sentence, why would Ron say "No, I'll testify, but I'd still like to face all my drug charges"?? I don't read anything into this about not caring for justice for his child. He's just being logical.

BBM

I have no problem understanding the concept of a good attorney mitigating the best deal possible for their client. It's done every day in courtrooms across this country.

To obtain this deal, Ronald had to tell the SA something they didn't already know. It seems logical that this information is about his daughter's disappearance and not about the drug deal with the other defendants having pled guilty.

My question is this, IF Ronald Cummings loves his daughter and cares about justice for her, why wasn't this truthful, credible information given to LE at at any point beginning at 3:41 am, February 9, 2009, up to and including January 20, 2010?

 

[snowshuze]

My questions is, can Ronald ever be prosecuted for obstruction/withholding evidence if he is ALSO getting a deal for the same thing?

 

[Helplessly Hoping]

BBM

Is it possible? IMO, it's a fact.

Papa, always appreciate your insight. Can you explain as to why you are so certain regarding the details of the deal and the S.A. I really don't think Shoemaker is that inept. Maybe Ron wants to come clean? :innocent: At this point, I am grasping and would love to hear more of what you think, because I am not that optimistic. I tend to think that Ron will once again be participating in his version of the Skater's Waltz by Emil Waldteufel. TIA

 

[Concerned Papa]

Papa, always appreciate your insight. Can you explain as to why you are so certain regarding the details of the deal and the S.A. I really don't think Shoemaker is that inept. Maybe Ron wants to come clean? :innocent: At this point, I am grasping and would love to hear more of what you think, because I am not that optimistic. I tend to think that Ron will once again be participating in his version of the Skater's Waltz by Emil Waldteufel. TIA

HH, I'm by no means certain but it is my opinion after 18 long months of trying to sort through illogical actions and statements. Up to this point, any and everything that RC has said and done in this case has been a free ride as to reprocussions from LE. It's not a crime to lie unless under oath, and with this plea deal he is now in the position of having no option other than to tell the complete truth.

Yesterday, Shoemaker said:

"He has answered all of their questions"

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100820/ARTICLES/100829978/1002&tc=omni

Until this deal was agreed to by the judge yesterday, it was not written in stone. What do you think the likelihood of LE having asked any of the "tough" questions beforehand? I believe LE knows much about this case. For the first time, Ronald Cummings is now in a position of having to be 100% truthful. Anything less for Mr. Cummings is a whole new ballgame.

The SA made a special point of standing and asking the judge that he be allowed to read the terms of this deal in open court. The words TRUTHFULLY and CONSECUTIVE spoke loudly.

 

[Bathbuddys]

Why would Ron make a plea deal to testify at his daughters trial if there are no suspects in that case? This has got to be a rumor? it is REALLY jumpin the gun isn't it?

 

[mysticrose]

Why would Ron have to make a plea deal and in exchange testify at his daughters trial ? He should have told everything he knows from the start, what kind of carp is this!

So basicly RON you are saying that without the plea deal you would have continued to keep quiet, what kind of man are you ? I am so disgusted with this new turn of events I havent posted, I don't know what to say !

Where is Haleigh ! Ron must have something substantial or there would be no plea deal, I hope and pray Haleigh is found soon and may anybody involved rot !!!

 

[Snowbunny]

Did you see that big smirk on Mr Cummings face as he entered the courtroom yesterday? He was so proud of himself. Mr Cummings thinks he's out-smarted everybody with this plea deal and he's so proud of himself, but he seems to forget he's the one in the shackles and more than like will be wearing them for years to come when LE is through with him. I doubt very seriously he'll be wearing that smirk on his face much longer. I'm willing to bebt Mr Cummings has been the one who has been out-smarted with this plea deal. He just thinks he has the upper hand right now.

 

[OneLostGrl]

Levi: why didnt (ToC) tell them in Feb, Werter?
JW: It's actually Mr. Werter or Jim...

:laugh: I love Levi!

 

[OneLostGrl]

Okkkkkkkk

So Ron is agreeing to testify in the Haleigh's case? And with this plea deal, they decided to knock off 2 of his charges? IMO, Ron is holding the cards right now. If Ron was directly involved in what happened to Haleigh, would the SAO give such a deal to him? I don't know how that works. But I'm thinking that they believe that Ron didn't have a hand in what happened to his daughter but he does know what happened to her...therefore, his timeline would be crucial. I am one who always believed that Ron had something to do with the disappearance of Haleigh. But now I'm not so sure. I absolutely believe that he knows what happened though. And if Ron has known all along what happened to Haleigh, IMO, he went into cover up mode for someone else. So who would Ron cover for? I don't think he would cover for any of the Croslins....IMO, Ron would only protect and cover for one of his own....another Cummings family member. Teresa Neves came out the gate a little too strong for me.

I know some may disagree with this and that's ok. But in my heart, if Ron didn't have a hand in the actual crime, then he knows who did and felt that he couldn't tell the truth either. Why?

It was said that Ron would testify about the timeline? What if Ron thinks his timeline will hurt Misty but in all reality, it's going to hurt someone else? Could this be a reason the SAO even agreed to this deal? Again, I don't know how that works. Remember Teresa's "you think she's gonna talk?" LE said one of the persons of interests would be a surprise to everyone. Whoever this "surprise" POI is, IMO, not someone that has been named in the media as to having something to do with the disappearance of Haleigh. So IMO, it would be someone that didn't know they were being looked at.

The fact that I believe Ron knows the truth about what happened to his daughter, and now I believe that the SA feel the same but they may have evidence that supports Ron not being directly involved, Ron protected the truth from coming out too. Why? It makes me think about one of the questions that they asked Misty on one of those tests. It was something about whether or not Ron was involved and Misty answered with an absolute "NO". That answer showed that she was not too sure. So if Misty was 100% sure that Ron didn't have anything to do with it, Misty would've passed that question and vice versa. Now with this latest story from Misty and Tommy about Jo taking Haleigh.......Is Misty NOT sure of Ron's involvement in that????:waitasec: I think that story is BS and both Misty and Tommy knows this. IMO, Something is going on within the Cummings family and that's why Misty was NOT sure of Ron's involvement. But if Ron had no direct involvement, the only way that I can explain his behavior is if he was protecting someone real close to him. and not the Croslins.

JMO of course (for right now anyway)

What is Ron going to say? That's the million dollar question.

Even though he is taking a plea I seriously doubt Ron will ever see the light of day again.

 

[OneLostGrl]

I'm so glad you've posted and asked the questions you have, suspicious1. Can I add that I believe Ron would cover for anyone who harmed his daughter, if that person had information about something illegal Ron had done.

Let's suppose Ron didn't have anything to do with his daughter's disappearance but he knew who did and what happened. But this person, could testify to the fact Ron was involved in a gun for drugs deal. Especially if it were a gun that was stolen or was illegal to own if it were not registered with the FEDs, such as a machine gun. I believe Ron would keep quiet and protect that person in order to keep that person quiet about his crimes.

I truly believe Ron Cummings would be the kind of person who would turn the other cheek in his daughter's death if it meant his serious illegal activities were covered up by the person who harmed his child. His actions following the disappearance of his daughter makes me sure he would make that deal.

Yes, Ron would make that trade off to protect himself. The thought of that, makes me ill. But, it's jmo.

And sadly, the people he surrounds himself with are just like him. They don't understand truth and morality they understand denial and cover-ups and finger pointing. His whole crew!