AL AL - Brittney Wood, 19, Mobile, 31 May 2012 - # 6

[rolltidemom]

I'm holding out hope one of them will. But they won't understand this fact until those trials get closer. Until then, it's just not real to them. Here's the thing. While I could be wrong, the one I see as most likely to tell what they know is DK. I could be way off because I've obviously never met the man(term used loosely), but he doesn't seem to be the kind cut out for prison. He also has the most at stake given the number and nature of his charges. The rub is, what kind of deal would you give the person with the most and worst charges in exchange for that information?

Very good point indeed!!

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[zwiebel]

I'm holding out hope one of them will. But they won't understand this fact until those trials get closer. Until then, it's just not real to them. Here's the thing. While I could be wrong, the one I see as most likely to tell what they know is DK. I could be way off because I've obviously never met the man(term used loosely), but he doesn't seem to be the kind cut out for prison. He also has the most at stake given the number and nature of his charges. The rub is, what kind of deal would you give the person with the most and worst charges in exchange for that information?

Reedus23 that's a terrible question - or rather, having to think of an answer to it is terrible. I suppose.....if I had to choose between punishment and bringing Brittney home, I'd get her home. But if that choice meant other children being put at risk, sometime in the future? I don't know, I really don't.

It has probably been pretty easy for those charged to ignore the seriousness of the situation, while all the bail and bonds have been flying about. Now some are justsitting in jail, waiting and thinking, reality might be setting in. Whatever, I certainly don't envy the DA in this case.

Thanks very much for the info about the sentencing; it sure looks like a long time to me, and apparently lives are much shorter in many prisons. So even without a life sentence, people in this case could never get to see freedom again, if they are found guilty.

 

[clarabelle]

I'm holding out hope one of them will. But they won't understand this fact until those trials get closer. Until then, it's just not real to them. Here's the thing. While I could be wrong, the one I see as most likely to tell what they know is DK. I could be way off because I've obviously never met the man(term used loosely), but he doesn't seem to be the kind cut out for prison. He also has the most at stake given the number and nature of his charges. The rub is, what kind of deal would you give the person with the most and worst charges in exchange for that information?

I think DK is the weak link too. Plus I am sure his family would prefer as little publicity as possible so I think he is a good bet take a plea bargain in exchange for info. I can't imagine he would do less than 10 years since he has some pretty big charges against him.

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[leighmarker]

I hate to bring this up, but I wouldnt be surprised if some of them accused would go ahead and plea guilty on a lessor charge and wind up with alot less time. Maybe even some of the charges being served all at once. I hope I am wrong. (of course this is if any of them are even convicted).

 

[rachaellouise]

I still don't understand the lack of media coverage. This has more drama than a jerry springer episode.

 

[Brangele]

I hate to bring this up, but I wouldnt be surprised if some of them accused would go ahead and plea guilty on a lessor charge and wind up with alot less time. Maybe even some of the charges being served all at once. I hope I am wrong. (of course this is if any of them are even convicted).

Sadly I am sure you are correct. I only hope more charges are forthcoming. I think DH Jr will get from 2-5, RSW 2-5, WB 2-5, DW 2-5, DK 10-20, and WWH'S most likely 20 with their current charges if they plead out (plus 10 years supervised probation) Though I have a feeling, maybe a bit optimistic, that WWH'S and DK will take their charges to trial, in which case the sentencing judge will usually enforce a much stiffer penalty. If you factor in "good time" and first time offender sentencing credit, expect some of these pervs back out before we even wanna think about. Obviously WWH'S charges are the most severe and I pray she finds it more convenient to rat for limited immunity/ reduced charges so Brittney can finally be located and her story told. I lost my father in a murder/suicide and though I didn't learn all the details until I was 18, knowing the answers and what really happened- no matter how hard it was- helped tremendously. I pray Payton gets that chance bc as she grows up she will have a lot of questions/pain/wondering what might have been. I was not so much older than her when I lost my dad. I pray for justice and peace for Brittney and the victims every night and that there will be no more future victims, and for the judge to search his heart and that little voice in his head telling him to do the right thing. Some call it your conscience but I call it God. rayer::yellow:

 

[Brangele]

PS I am competing in a major pageant soon and if I win I am not afraid to use my title to spread the word about Brittney's case and the Jaren Lockhart case, both are very close to my heart and need more publicity! MAJORLY.

 

[reedus23]

I hate to bring this up, but I wouldnt be surprised if some of them accused would go ahead and plea guilty on a lessor charge and wind up with alot less time. Maybe even some of the charges being served all at once. I hope I am wrong. (of course this is if any of them are even convicted).

They can only plead guilty to lesser charges if the DA is agreeable to it and the Judge approves it. If the DA has a solid case, they aren't as likely to do that, unless the plea still involves substantial prison time. I think there was a completely unrelated case in Alabama where there was a plea deal struck where the Defendant plead guilty to 1st degree rape and in exchange the DA dropped the other charges. However, there will still be a sentencing hearing where I'm sure the defendant will seek the minimum and the DA has already gone on record indicating they were still seeking 99 years. So a plea deal could be struck like that as well.

 

[reedus23]

Sadly I am sure you are correct. I only hope more charges are forthcoming. I think DH Jr will get from 2-5, RSW 2-5, WB 2-5, DW 2-5, DK 10-20, and WWH'S most likely 20 with their current charges if they plead out (plus 10 years supervised probation) Though I have a feeling, maybe a bit optimistic, that WWH'S and DK will take their charges to trial, in which case the sentencing judge will usually enforce a much stiffer penalty. If you factor in "good time" and first time offender sentencing credit, expect some of these pervs back out before we even wanna think about. Obviously WWH'S charges are the most severe and I pray she finds it more convenient to rat for limited immunity/ reduced charges so Brittney can finally be located and her story told. I lost my father in a murder/suicide and though I didn't learn all the details until I was 18, knowing the answers and what really happened- no matter how hard it was- helped tremendously. I pray Payton gets that chance bc as she grows up she will have a lot of questions/pain/wondering what might have been. I was not so much older than her when I lost my dad. I pray for justice and peace for Brittney and the victims every night and that there will be no more future victims, and for the judge to search his heart and that little voice in his head telling him to do the right thing. Some call it your conscience but I call it God. rayer::yellow:

What they all end up getting is obviously a great unknown. We have no idea how much or what kind of evidence the DA has. Even on the cases that we have gotten some information on, that information is just a glimpse of what is to come.

 

[reedus23]

I hate to bring this up, but I wouldnt be surprised if some of them accused would go ahead and plea guilty on a lessor charge and wind up with alot less time. Maybe even some of the charges being served all at once. I hope I am wrong. (of course this is if any of them are even convicted).

I would venture a guess that there is a better than 95% chance they will all get convicted. Most DA's that don't have conviction rates way up there don't keep their job. Thus the reason they don't even file unless certain of a conviction.

 

[elainebenice]

I'm not sure what the website is that you guys are using to look up the cases, but one reason all of the charges on WWH may not appear or seem to appear is because of the way the charges were filed in the system. All 4 of the charges were filed under the same case #, in both the district court and circuit court (after the GJ indictment). Not sure why they chose to do it this way, but they did.

 

[Brangele]

Reedus- From my own experience (and I have sat through a LOT of criminal sentencings) multiple charges are often dropped and they are often piled into one. Thus the 95% conviction rate. I am happy to hear that the DA is seeking 99 years; that is music to my ears. Unfortunately the judge has been IMO way too lenient but it seems like he is toughening up and getting a clue in this case. I sure hope so

 

[fabvab]

I think DK is the weak link too. Plus I am sure his family would prefer as little publicity as possible so I think he is a good bet take a plea bargain in exchange for info. I can't imagine he would do less than 10 years since he has some pretty big charges against him.

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I agree that DK seems to be the weakest link, but on the other hand he is the one whose extended family has the ability/money to hire the best defense team of all the perps...he is the strongest link in that sense...just another factor to throw out there.

 

[zwiebel]

PS I am competing in a major pageant soon and if I win I am not afraid to use my title to spread the word about Brittney's case and the Jaren Lockhart case, both are very close to my heart and need more publicity! MAJORLY.

Go for it. Keeping my fingers crossed you win. Publicity from someone with a public profile is what Brittney's been missing all along.

 

[leighmarker]

Reedus- From my own experience (and I have sat through a LOT of criminal sentencings) multiple charges are often dropped and they are often piled into one. Thus the 95% conviction rate. I am happy to hear that the DA is seeking 99 years; that is music to my ears. Unfortunately the judge has been IMO way too lenient but it seems like he is toughening up and getting a clue in this case. I sure hope so

agreed, on both points-multiple charges dropped (or all folded into one at a lower charge-is a possiblity). Da will usually throw as much as they can at someone just so they will plea it down. Its sad but true.
Anyone know if this will be the same judge for all hearings?

 

[reedus23]

Reedus- From my own experience (and I have sat through a LOT of criminal sentencings) multiple charges are often dropped and they are often piled into one. Thus the 95% conviction rate. I am happy to hear that the DA is seeking 99 years; that is music to my ears. Unfortunately the judge has been IMO way too lenient but it seems like he is toughening up and getting a clue in this case. I sure hope so

I want to be absolutely clear that the case I was referring to is completely unrelated to these cases.

 

[reedus23]

Reedus- From my own experience (and I have sat through a LOT of criminal sentencings) multiple charges are often dropped and they are often piled into one. Thus the 95% conviction rate. I am happy to hear that the DA is seeking 99 years; that is music to my ears. Unfortunately the judge has been IMO way too lenient but it seems like he is toughening up and getting a clue in this case. I sure hope so

If there is a plea agreement, yes, I would presume some charges will be dropped otherwise there is no reason for a defendant to enter into the plea agreement. Having said that, a DA is not likely to drop the more serious charges assuming they have the evidence. For example, I could see a situation where Randall Scott Wood enters a plea agreement on the sodomy charge with a recommendation of somewhere in the neighborhood 8-10 years. The DA would drop the other charges because even if he got a year on the misdemeanor charge and 8 years on the incest charge, they would likely be served concurrently and the length of time in prison wouldn't change. If the cases go to trial, the DA will only drop charges that are tenuous to prove or if it may create confusion or lessen the likelihood of a conviction on a more serious charge.

If there are trials, no way Wendy can get less than 20 years given the statutes. Most likely she spends the remainder of her natural life in prison. Dustin will spend the rest of his life in prison. Though the other victims don't give rise to the mandatory increased minimums, I think given the nature of the crimes, a Judge will take those into consideration in guiding him/her so I don't see Donald Holland Jr., Derek Wood or William Brownlee getting less than 10 years. I have a hard time gauging Randall Scott Wood's case because I don't think we've heard anything about the circumstances or age of the victim.

Another thought is that if one Judge hears all of these cases, he/she will be more likely to imposes sentences towards the higher end because, taken as a whole, the acts are so egregious and there is such a pattern. There is less for a defendant to argue in mitigation of the charges.

All just my thoughts and opinions.

 

[clarabelle]

I agree that DK seems to be the weakest link, but on the other hand he is the one whose extended family has the ability/money to hire the best defense team of all the perps...he is the strongest link in that sense...just another factor to throw out there.

Excellent point. But how embarrassing would it be for the uncle of a shining football star to go through a public trial for molesting children (assuming his lawyer can get the most serious charges dropped)? I am hoping that it leans more in that direction
lease:

 

[Deleted member 718]

What they all end up getting is obviously a great unknown. We have no idea how much or what kind of evidence the DA has. Even on the cases that we have gotten some information on, that information is just a glimpse of what is to come.

I'm beginning to think the DA has photographic evidence. Didn't Kent say something like- Donnie made him to use his phone to record an event?

Oops, his way of blaming Donnie, but oh so incriminating.

Otherwise, it becomes a he said/they said affair and I do hope it's more than that. If these nuts are guilty, I want it to stick.

 

[Bree0372]

If there is a plea agreement, yes, I would presume some charges will be dropped otherwise there is no reason for a defendant to enter into the plea agreement. Having said that, a DA is not likely to drop the more serious charges assuming they have the evidence. For example, I could see a situation where Randall Scott Wood enters a plea agreement on the sodomy charge with a recommendation of somewhere in the neighborhood 8-10 years. The DA would drop the other charges because even if he got a year on the misdemeanor charge and 8 years on the incest charge, they would likely be served concurrently and the length of time in prison wouldn't change. If the cases go to trial, the DA will only drop charges that are tenuous to prove or if it may create confusion or lessen the likelihood of a conviction on a more serious charge.

If there are trials, no way Wendy can get less than 20 years given the statutes. Most likely she spends the remainder of her natural life in prison. Dustin will spend the rest of his life in prison. Though the other victims don't give rise to the mandatory increased minimums, I think given the nature of the crimes, a Judge will take those into consideration in guiding him/her so I don't see Donald Holland Jr., Derek Wood or William Brownlee getting less than 10 years. I have a hard time gauging Randall Scott Wood's case because I don't think we've heard anything about the circumstances or age of the victim.

Another thought is that if one Judge hears all of these cases, he/she will be more likely to imposes sentences towards the higher end because, taken as a whole, the acts are so egregious and there is such a pattern. There is less for a defendant to argue in mitigation of the charges.

All just my thoughts and opinions.

BBM: From your fingers to God's ears. These people are disgusting. I wish the courts would call it what it is - RAPE, not sexual assault.

I read in an article that DHjr, DW and WB's victim was 12yo. I'm thinking RSW may be involved in that one too (not sure though).


ETA: Found the article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...--FIVE-family-members-charged-sex-crimes.html



Uncle - Dustin Kent and Victims Father - Donnie Holland:

The uncle of missing Alabama teenager Brittney Wood raped a 13-year-old relative as her father watched, a police detective has testified in court.

Wendy Holland's two young children, who are in grade school, were handed over to the Department of Human Resources after her arrest on October 17, authorities said.

Her stepson, Donald Holland Jr., also stands accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in January 2011.

Brittney's brother Derek Wood, 22, has been arrested for rape and sodomy, and allegedly had sex with the same 12-year-old.

Another uncle - her mother's brother - Randall Scott Wood, was arrested on June 19 on charges of incest, sodomy and sexual abuse - the same day Kent and Donnie Holland Sr. were arrested.

Kent is the brother-in-law of Brittney's mother; he is married to Wendy Holland's twin sister, Mendy.

In addition to the family arrests, Donnie Holland's friend, William Brownlee, was arrested on July 22 for second-degree sodomy and for having sex with the 12-year-old girl.

Police said they anticipate even more arrests in the sex-abuse investigation, which they carried out over three months.