Found Deceased FL - Madeline Soto, 13, Missing Child Alert, 13500 blk Town Loop Blvd, Orlando, 26 Feb 2024 *arrest* #14

[ttjo]

They are arguing that Florida's death penalty is unconstitutional because "aspects of a Florida law that outline aggravating factors are overly vague and subject to being applied arbitrarily and inconsistently"
Call me crazy, but there is nothing vague about hundreds of videos/ pictures that show exactly what he did to Maddi.
Looks like the state knows what they're doing by getting a conviction for the SA before the murder trial. I hate to sound so sure before a trial, but it feels like a slam dunk to me. Theyve lined up the ducks, to go for the death penalty.

 

[Gemmie]

DBM

 

[ttjo]

Those " vague" aggravating factors are listed in this document. Chapter 921 Section 141 - 2016 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate

 

[Seattle1]

They are arguing that Florida's death penalty is unconstitutional because "aspects of a Florida law that outline aggravating factors are overly vague and subject to being applied arbitrarily and inconsistently"
Call me crazy, but there is nothing vague about hundreds of videos/ pictures that show exactly what he did to Maddi.
Looks like the state knows what they're doing by getting a conviction for the SA before the murder trial. I hate to sound so sure before a trial, but it feels like a slam dunk to me. Theyve lined up the ducks, to go for the death penalty.

Fortunately for justice for Madeline, Florida revised the Statute just in time which provides that jurors need not be unanimous on the decision of death.

In April 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 450, which changed the state's death penalty law to allow a death sentence to be imposed with an 8-4 jury vote. This change lowered the threshold for a death sentence recommendation from a unanimous vote.

Florida Legislature Rescinds Unanimous-Jury Requirement in Death Sentencing | Death Penalty Information Center

Florida is poised to become the state with the nation’s lowest threshold for juries to recommend death sentences, after the state legislature passed a...

deathpenaltyinfo.org

 

[CuriousCricket]

They are arguing that Florida's death penalty is unconstitutional because "aspects of a Florida law that outline aggravating factors are overly vague and subject to being applied arbitrarily and inconsistently"
Call me crazy, but there is nothing vague about hundreds of videos/ pictures that show exactly what he did to Maddi.
Looks like the state knows what they're doing by getting a conviction for the SA before the murder trial. I hate to sound so sure before a trial, but it feels like a slam dunk to me. Theyve lined up the ducks, to go for the death penalty.

Absolutely. Plus, he was charged on the SA months before they had all their ducks in a row and enough evidence to charge for the murder. All in order and above board, seems to me.

 

[CuriousCricket]

Those " vague" aggravating factors are listed in this document. Chapter 921 Section 141 - 2016 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate

Wouldn't he qualify for the DP three times even without the prior conviction for SA?

To me, it appears they have him on d -- twice -- sexual battery and aggravated child abuse and he barely missed l -- (l) The victim of the capital felony was a person less than 12 years of age (since MS had just turned 13); and m -- because the defendant stood in a position of familial or custodial authority over the victim (JS consistently calling him MS's "stepfather" would help with this, I would guess?)

and o -- The capital felony was committed by a person designated as a sexual predator pursuant to s. 775.21 or a person previously designated as a sexual predator who had the sexual predator designation removed.

Under most circumstances, the MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES (a) The defendant has no significant history of prior criminal activity would have kept me from considering the DP if I were ever in a place to consider such. HOWEVER, all the photos and videos on his phone removes all question of his guilt and the years of abuse would remove all my personal hesitation toward the DP.

It appears to me that his attorneys are diligently and aggressively attempting to defend him. Isn't that a very good thing? No chance for him to claim "ineffective assistance of counsel", right?

 

[ttjo]

It appears to me that his attorneys are diligently and aggressively attempting to defend him. Isn't that a very good thing? No chance for him to claim "ineffective assistance of counsel", right?

They have filed so many motions. I don't know how much more they could do for him.
on the other side:
Is there any reason for the prosecution to line him up for a plea deal? with the death penalty looming.
Who would that benefit besides Stephan? and sparing the cost of a trial.
If there was someone else who had some involvement in any part of it now would be the time for him to speak up. I dont even know how much of a difference it would make for him.

 

[Gemmie]

If there was someone else who had some involvement in any part of it now would be the time for him to speak up. I dont even know how much of a difference it would make for him.

Or her.

 

[ttjo]

Or her.

because right now, he should feel like he's on the Amazon river and someone took away his paddles.

 

[CuriousCricket]

because right now, he should feel like he's on the Amazon river and someone took away his paddles.

and the Piranhas are snapping. It's the smaller ones that are most aggressive or so the guide told us.

 

[Gemmie]

A lot of motions filed between 2/3 - 2/5 in the murder case. 27 to be exact. One made me laugh, even in this serious matter. HIS right to life? Honestly, what about Maddie's right to life?? And her right not to be raped by a parental figure from the age of 8! I'm sorry, but he doesn't have a "fundamental right to life" IMO. Good grief.

DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO STRIKE THE DEATH PENALTY AS A POSSIBLE PENALTY AS THE DEATH PENALTY WOULD VIOLATE THE DEFENDANT’S FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO LIFE

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[ttjo]

A lot of motions filed between 2/3 - 2/5 in the murder case. 27 to be exact. One made me laugh, even in this serious matter. HIS right to life? Honestly, what about Maddie's right to life?? And her right not to be raped by a parental figure from the age of 8! I'm sorry, but he doesn't have a "fundamental right to life" IMO. Good grief.

DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO STRIKE THE DEATH PENALTY AS A POSSIBLE PENALTY AS THE DEATH PENALTY WOULD VIOLATE THE DEFENDANT’S FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO LIFE

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Apparently, He has filed a motion for continuance in the CSAM trial, I can never access those docs, I dont know if its because I am in Canada? Can someone check? Maybe I am not doing something right but every link that has been posted in here for court docs, never works for me.

 

[Gemmie]

Apparently, He has filed a motion for continuance in the CSAM trial, I can never access those docs, I dont know if its because I am in Canada? Can someone check? Maybe I am not doing something right but every link that has been posted in here for court docs, never works for me.

It's not Canada, it's you, @ttjo. Kidding! lol

This is all I see for this year in the CSAM case. Nothing that says Continuance. Looks like you mean the Motion to Continue which has been Requested, and not available. Does anyone know what that means? Does it mean MSM or bloggers, etc., have asked for a copy? I guess we have to wait for it to be available to read on their site.

 

[ttjo]

It's not Canada, it's you, @ttjo. Kidding! lol

This is all I see for this year in the CSAM case. Nothing that says Continuance.

View attachment 563122

it probably is me , I dont know what I'm doing wrong. Noone ever said I was the sharpest crayon in the box.
Wonder if it has anything to do with the music teacher at her school ? he was listed as a witness in maddi's case but ran into a little trouble himself lately.

 

[Seattle1]

Apparently, He has filed a motion for continuance in the CSAM trial, I can never access those docs, I dont know if its because I am in Canada? Can someone check? Maybe I am not doing something right but every link that has been posted in here for court docs, never works for me.

Yes, confirming the defense filed a Motion to Continue on 2/6/25 but it's not only OP that does not have access to the doc, the Motion has not been uploaded and/or made available yet for public access.

Per the docket, the last 'Motion to Continue' was filed on 7/9/24, and the Motion was granted on 7/10/24. I believe the difference here was this Motion (copied below) to Continue was not opposed by the State.

Given a Pretrial hearing is set for 2/12/25, and Jury Trial on the Calendar for 2/24/25, I guess we will have to wait to see the reasons cited by team Sterns, and whether or not the State supports the continuance.

https://courts.osceolaclerk.com/BenchmarkWeb/CourtCase.aspx/Details/3358251?digest=%2BUwvcoi%2FK9BPoGoxRlWnAg

 

[ttjo]

Yes, confirming the defense filed a Motion to Continue on 2/6/25 but it's not only OP that does not have access to the doc, the Motion has not been uploaded and/or made available yet for public access.

Per the docket, the last 'Motion to Continue' was filed on 7/9/24, and the Motion was granted on 7/10/24. I believe the difference here was this Motion (copied below) to Continue was not opposed by the State.

Given a Pretrial hearing is set for 2/12/25, and Jury Trial on the Calendar for 2/24/25, I guess we will have to wait to see the reasons cited by team Sterns, and whether or not the State supports the continuance.

View attachment 563127

https://courts.osceolaclerk.com/BenchmarkWeb/CourtCase.aspx/Details/3358251?digest=%2BUwvcoi%2FK9BPoGoxRlWnAg

Thank you @Seattle1 maybe it has nothing to do with the music teacher then. I know his charges are unrelated to maddi's case, he is just listed as a witness in her case. This is a different guy than the one charged with possessing CSAM material last october, that was school admin.
Wow that school needs to clean up its screening process.

 

[Gemmie]

Thank you @Seattle1 maybe it has nothing to do with the music teacher then. I know his charges are unrelated to maddi's case, he is just listed as a witness in her case. This is a different guy than the one charged with possessing CSAM material last october, that was school admin.
Wow that school needs to clean up its screening process.

Unfortunately this problem is at more schools than Maddie's school. JMO on that!

 

[ttjo]

Unfortunately this problem is at more schools than Maddie's school. JMO on that!

I know, and it was a problem within group homes where I live also. Predators know where to look for prey.

 

[Seattle1]

2/6/25

Madeline Soto's Behavior | Vinnie Politan Investigates​

 

[ttjo]

If you pick up your 13-year-old daughter from school every day, and one day you see that she left her cell phone at home, would you bring the phone with you to give to her, if you were going to return home after picking her up?