Misty gets 25 years - Are you happy with the St. John's verdict? ***POLL***

[kant]

Yes, technically this is all true, so there MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LAWS!!!! A man, raped this child when she was in 7th grade and got 8 years, she will do a lifetime because of his transgressions against her. Ron had a rap sheet longer than bookie sheet and never served a day, until now, but still got 2 charges dropped and will do less than her, but more than a child rapist. I think people could recover from drugs faster than a child would recover from a rape, so what is wrong with our laws????? If 1st offense for drug trafficking is min 25 then rape of a child should be LWOP. JMO. :furious:

I have to ask myself, if Misty grew up anywhere else with different parents, different surroundings, would she be in this mess today? I think not.

Salient points. Im with you.

moo

 

[kant]

I too believe in second chances but never for a killer of a child or a psychopath which IMO Misty is.

But for me, the point is that she was not on trial for being a psychopath or a child killer.

Psychopathy in itself is not a crime; and not every sociopath or psychopath is a criminal. They can be some seriously toxic folks with whom to choose to hang around or to have the misfortune to work with or have as neighbors, frequently menaces to society etc -- yes, but not necessarily all criminals.



.

 

[oceanwatch]

Yes, technically this is all true, so there MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LAWS!!!! A man, raped this child when she was in 7th grade and got 8 years, she will do a lifetime because of his transgressions against her. Ron had a rap sheet longer than bookie sheet and never served a day, until now, but still got 2 charges dropped and will do less than her, but more than a child rapist. I think people could recover from drugs faster than a child would recover from a rape, so what is wrong with our laws????? If 1st offense for drug trafficking is min 25 then rape of a child should be LWOP. JMO. I have to ask myself, if Misty grew up anywhere else with different parents, different surroundings, would she be in this mess today? I think not.

:furious:

I totally agree there are some serious problems with the laws in many states! I'm just saying that this is Misty's trial now, nobody else's.

Let me tell you what is wrong with Texas! I married a man in 2002, he had a six year old daughter and I became her stepmom. I love her dearly! He left after about a year, left her with me and did not come back to get her till she was 10 years old. He kept her three months and I got her back and have custody of her now. During the time he had her when she was 10, and when she was 3-6 years old he raped her. I did not find out about it until last year when she was 14 years old. I reported it to CPS. They did the sexual assault exam on her and took away his parental rights. He has to stay away and he no longer has to pay child support since he has no parental rights. The district attorney has done nothing to prosecute him, we aren't newsworthy people. In other words, my (step) daughter's father raped her, and all he got was he no longer has to pay child support.

I know that has nothing to do with Misty or this case, but it isn't just Florida that has some flawed laws regarding child molestation. I'd love for my daughter's dad to get those 8 years in prison. Something anyway! Something besides a reward!

 

[MaryAnn]

I truly believe that Misty knows what happened to Haleigh like everyone else. I think at this point Misty would throw anyone under the bus to save her own neck even Ron. I don't believe what Timmy's wife is saying that Misty still loves Ron so much that she wouldn't testify against him. I think at this point Misty is #1. After getting 25 years I think she would tell the truth if anyone else really killed Haleigh. She's blamed Tommy and her cousin but still can't pass a lie detector test. I think at this point even if Haleigh swallowed Ron's pills that Misty would come clean. I think Misty did something to Haleigh, that's why she won't talk because it won't help her at all, but only put her in jail for life. That's why she's willing to settle for the drug bust sentence. Maybe Misty did hit Haleigh on the back of the head like Grandma Flo said and the way she hit her was just enough to send her flying or it somehow killed her. She was hungover, angry because she had to babysit and only a child herself. I don't believe she's scared of Ron or anyone else except the life sentence. If she did smack Haleigh hard enough to kill her she should have come clean from the beginning anyway. She might have gotten a lighter sentence if it wasn't done intentionally. I don't think Misty is a flat out cruel physopath like Casey who planned her Daughters death. I do think Misty is responsible and Tommy and her cousin helped dispose of Haleigh's body. But if they did I don't know why they haven't come clean to save their own necks. I wonder if this murder will ever be solved. I surely hope so.

 

[Hippy Chick]

I thinj it was a sad day in the US justice system and really what did it accomplish. They sent a young uneducated girl that can hardly read and write and that had an upbringing that mo st people couldn't even grasp in their wildest dreams. I feel sorry for her and I think she has told LE all she knows. On the 911 call I thought she sounded really out of it and if she was passed out from her weekend maybe just maybe she dosen't know. I wish justice could be served for little Haleigh but I don't believe this is the right way to get it. I think LE messed this case up at the beginning and everyone the cops included threw Misty under the bus including her parents and the Cummings family...IMO

 

[mikeysmommom]

But for me, the point is that she was not on trial for being a psychopath or a child killer.

Psychopathy in itself is not a crime; and not every sociopath or psychopath is a criminal. They can be some seriously toxic folks with whom to choose to hang around or to have the misfortune to work with or have as neighbors, frequently menaces to society etc -- yes, but not necessarily all criminals.



.

Your right she was not on trial for being a child killer.She was sentenced to 25 yrs because for the crimes they have proof she committed that was the mandatory sentence the judge had to give her according to the Law.Misty is a criminal , she is now a convicted criminal.When the truth finally comes out, that s when we will know if she is a psychopath.IMO she is a classic example of one.

 

[mikeysmommom]

Yes, technically this is all true, so there MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LAWS!!!! A man, raped this child when she was in 7th grade and got 8 years, she will do a lifetime because of his transgressions against her. Ron had a rap sheet longer than bookie sheet and never served a day, until now, but still got 2 charges dropped and will do less than her, but more than a child rapist. I think people could recover from drugs faster than a child would recover from a rape, so what is wrong with our laws????? If 1st offense for drug trafficking is min 25 then rape of a child should be LWOP. JMO. :furious:

I have to ask myself, if Misty grew up anywhere else with different parents, different surroundings, would she be in this mess today? I think not.

IMO rape of a child should be LWOP or better yet the death penalty.A lot of young girls are sexually abused and do not become drug dealers.What if the drugs Misty sold got into the hands of young children or teens instead of the police.Could have been deadly.

 

[mikeysmommom]

:furious:

I totally agree there are some serious problems with the laws in many states! I'm just saying that this is Misty's trial now, nobody else's.

Let me tell you what is wrong with Texas! I married a man in 2002, he had a six year old daughter and I became her stepmom. I love her dearly! He left after about a year, left her with me and did not come back to get her till she was 10 years old. He kept her three months and I got her back and have custody of her now. During the time he had her when she was 10, and when she was 3-6 years old he raped her. I did not find out about it until last year when she was 14 years old. I reported it to CPS. They did the sexual assault exam on her and took away his parental rights. He has to stay away and he no longer has to pay child support since he has no parental rights. The district attorney has done nothing to prosecute him, we aren't newsworthy people. In other words, my (step) daughter's father raped her, and all he got was he no longer has to pay child support.

I know that has nothing to do with Misty or this case, but it isn't just Florida that has some flawed laws regarding child molestation. I'd love for my daughter's dad to get those 8 years in prison. Something anyway! Something besides a reward!

My heart aches for what you and your step daughter endured.The Laws have changed so much for our children since John Walsh and many others have fought for our children s rights but sadly they need to come a lot further.IMO I believe if evidence is strong against the attacker then the DP should be given and used.1 Strike Law for sexually abusing our child.Prosecutors who do not take molesters to trial should be investigated and so should Judges who let these scum go free.Sorry to be off topic but this a topic close to my heart.

 

[krkrjx]

I'm disgusted with that Judge. To say that Haleigh was not factor, how does she explain that Donna Brock who obtained the prescription, gave the drugs to Misty to sell, and did not have the mitigating factors that Misty has was sentenced on the same charge to 15 years.

I am disgusted that the Judge and the SA are holding Misty more responsible than the adults who used her to protect themselves.

FWIW, Donna was not sentenced on the same charge as Misty. Donna pled to a lesser charge.

The judge said she could not consider YO for Misty because it has a maximum of six years and she felt that was not enough. I have to agree six years for Misty is not enough. But 25 is outrageous!

Since Misty already has a 25-year sentence, what purpose will be served by adding more time in Putnam County court later this month? Whether this all came about as LE strategy to squeeze Misty or is only to punish her, I believe 25 years she now faces is more than enough to accomplish both.

I vote for sentencing Misty to the absolute minimum allowable by law on her Putnam charges, and have it run concurrent with her sentence from St. Johns.

 

[justus4all]

FWIW, Donna was not sentenced on the same charge as Misty. Donna pled to a lesser charge.

The judge said she could not consider YO for Misty because it has a maximum of six years and she felt that was not enough. I have to agree six years for Misty is not enough. But 25 is outrageous!

Since Misty already has a 25-year sentence, what purpose will be served by adding more time in Putnam County court later this month? Whether this all came about as LE strategy to squeeze Misty or is only to punish her, I believe 25 years she now faces is more than enough to accomplish both.

I vote for sentencing Misty to the absolute minimum allowable by law on her Putnam charges, and have it run concurrent with her sentence from St. Johns.

bolded by me....

I have an opinion..that..the LE does have their strategy ....and I hope Misty does tell...and another opinion is Misty and her attorney...have a strategy for her court appearance in a few weeks....

I believe things are slowing starting to roll........moo

 

[lonetraveler]

LE has to have a case (Haleigh's) to even present to the SA. I fear that this case was botched in the very beginning by one or more 'bad apples' so to speak. Every department has one, two, or more 'bad apples' and these are ofentimes weeded out. I have seen them come and go myself. JMO. I feel critical evidence was lost in the beginning. As I have stated in other posts; I am usually a staunch LE supporter, but not in Haleigh's case.

LE stated rather early on that Misty is the 'key' to solving Haleigh's case. I feel that this sentence yesterday was tied in with Haleigh's case and should not have been. I do not like the way it has all played out. I have never seen a Judge not give thought to the age, criminal record, or lack thereof, in a case that renders serving so many years. The reason there was no PSR in Misty's case is because of the way she plead. A pre-sentencing report will have everything in it the Judge needs to know, such as prior convictions, and criminal history. I know LE had Misty dead to rights on her drug dealing because it was on video and she was clearly guilty. I am just saying that this Judge threw the book at Misty without taking her age and lack of criminal record into consideration. I really feel it was unprofessional of this Judge to utter Haleigh's name in the proceeding as well as to have asked her the question about money. What did she expect Misty to say? No, that she did not like the money? To me, that was a question where she (the Judge) knew how Misty would answer and making herself seem even worse. I firmly believe that this Judge showed unprofessional contempt for Misty. I usually applaud any Judge for a lenghtly sentence in any crime, but not this one. Six years to a young person would seem like forever, much less the 25.

I am going to give up on my tirade after this post, and even though I do not like anything about Misty (or any of the people involved), I still feel it is unjust for Misty to serve 25 years while Ronald and the others got 15!

JMO, MOO, and INHO

ITA, about an hour ago I was reading through information on the sentencing and came across a short video of when the judge told Misty that 'she was a drug dealer'. There was a full frontal view of the judge when she said this and she looked totally pissed off the entire time she was sparring with Misty. Yes, I said sparring. The judge actually looked as if she was starting a cat fight. Totally unprofessional and catty.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video...o Misty: "You Are" a Drug Dealer/629359810001

 

[lonetraveler]

I thinj it was a sad day in the US justice system and really what did it accomplish. They sent a young uneducated girl that can hardly read and write and that had an upbringing that mo st people couldn't even grasp in their wildest dreams. I feel sorry for her and I think she has told LE all she knows. On the 911 call I thought she sounded really out of it and if she was passed out from her weekend maybe just maybe she dosen't know. I wish justice could be served for little Haleigh but I don't believe this is the right way to get it. I think LE messed this case up at the beginning and everyone the cops included threw Misty under the bus including her parents and the Cummings family...IMO

Misty has been thrown under the bus so thoroughly that she's flatter than a roadkill rabbit!

 

[Crosby87]

I imagine Misty must feel very discouraged and defeated right now and she must be asking herself what’s the point in living anymore. She has nothing to look forward to and her future is bleak. What would be the point of her pursuing an education? After she is released from jail, how will she support herself? No one will marry her because of her fines. She will never own anything so she will be indigent for the rest of her life. This is torture and Misty will turn into a vegetable as she rots away in jail.

I believe Misty learned her lesson and wouldn’t reoffend. She has been isolated for 10-months and I trust she would never sell drugs again and risk going back to jail after living through this horrendous experience. Misty has been compliant and a model prisoner while incarcerated at SJC, so why not give her YO status, sentence her to 6 years in prison, and place her on probation when she is released. Give her a chance to mend her life and prove herself and if she reoffends, then give her the maximum sentence of 25 years.

Unfortunately the Judge didn't see it my way and I resent her decision. We all make mistakes and fall down and I feel Judge Berger wasn't able to relate to Misty's circumstances and she handed her a death sentence IMO.

 

[azwriter]

:furious:

I totally agree there are some serious problems with the laws in many states! I'm just saying that this is Misty's trial now, nobody else's.

Let me tell you what is wrong with Texas! I married a man in 2002, he had a six year old daughter and I became her stepmom. I love her dearly! He left after about a year, left her with me and did not come back to get her till she was 10 years old. He kept her three months and I got her back and have custody of her now. During the time he had her when she was 10, and when she was 3-6 years old he raped her. I did not find out about it until last year when she was 14 years old. I reported it to CPS. They did the sexual assault exam on her and took away his parental rights. He has to stay away and he no longer has to pay child support since he has no parental rights. The district attorney has done nothing to prosecute him, we aren't newsworthy people. In other words, my (step) daughter's father raped her, and all he got was he no longer has to pay child support.

I know that has nothing to do with Misty or this case, but it isn't just Florida that has some flawed laws regarding child molestation. I'd love for my daughter's dad to get those 8 years in prison. Something anyway! Something besides a reward!

Ocean, so sorry to hear this story and what you and your daughter went through. I hope time has helped with the healing physically, mentally and spiritual. I truly do.

But there are ways to change laws. An election is coming up, vote for lawmakers you know will work on changing the laws. Call, write your state representatives and senators. Let them know changes are needed. Tell them your sad story as you have told us.

Florida has tough laws and sentencing for drug offenders because people pushed for those laws. And, in the long run often these laws turn out to seem unfair when there is a min/max system in place. Not all case are alike.

Thank you for sharing this story.
jmo

 

[Peliman]

Mixed feelings here but I'll explain if I can.

Maybe I need a beer first hahaha

I was kinda feeling somewhat going wow 25 yrs and ouch $500,000 fine. Not what I really expected but I also thought the sentence would reflect her cooperation and thought nope, she's not cooperating.

I'm one who thinks Misty has had several chances to come clean about Haleigh and what happened and it's just been one lie atop another.

So early this morning I listened to the Levi-JVM show with Chelsa and Chelsa made the statement that when she talked last to Misty on the phone she asked about Ronald or was he involved and Misty told Chelsa I can't talk about it now.

Well I think the same question has bee asked and answered the same way. I've come to the conclusion Misty won't or hasn't talked about it.

So I'm not feeling real sympathetic for her because I think she's withholding info.

Now with her future sentencing upcoming, I hope Fields is working a deal real hard with the SA for Misty's truthful testimony, verified by poly. Otherwise she may have a beard by the time she gets out of prison. I think after awhile Fields could ask for an reduction of sentence. I think Misty's future is in her own hands now.

Yes I know this was sentencing for a drug charge and not a homicide but I think it's all geared to making Misty talk and depending on the details, the law can sort it out later.

 

[tlcya]

LE is putting pressure on all involved via the drug case. The judge did not pull the sentence from thin air. The time sentenced fell within the sentencing guidelines for the crimes committed. Was it on the harsher end of the scale? Yes. Could the judge had sympathy and gone lighter? Yes.

Bottom line, the judge did not just arbitrarily or through some malice towards Misty over Haleigh pull this number out of butt. The sentence was a possible consequence for any person caught doing that crime. To imply the judge was out of line is well . . . out of line IMOO

 

[gitana1]

25 years is not going to make Misty talk. Why would she talk and give herself even more time than that behind bars, or worse (death penalty)?
Because I think the chances that this girl had something to do with what happened to Haleigh are strong. I'm not sure what she did but I fear the worst. I think she was angry at having to be there, at 17, caring for two little kids when she just wanted to party. Something happened.
Or maybe she had a little party even though she had to stay home, with some of her relatives, or friends, and something happened.
Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe she slipped out to party somewhere else and someone was watching and took Haleigh.
If it's the latter, I can see an immature, unloved Misty wanting to hide the truth from her beloved Ron so he wouldn't hate her. I mean, even after they were arrested she was still mooning over that guy. Ick. And no one would believe her now if she admitted she left the house. They would not understand why she never told the truth from the beginning.
If she harmed Haleigh or aided in that harm, I don't think this sentence will make her talk now. That would make no sense. But who knows. She does not seem very bright.
I do think, based on the fact that Ron, Tommy and Hope were able to get lighter sentences, that the sentence was meant to send a message that has nothing to do with drugs. (Regardless, I think these drug laws are ridiculous when compared to sentences for other and IMO, more serious crimes like child molestation).
However, I understand why LE and the public who is certain Misty harmed Haleigh are satisfied with the sentence. But, it seems the law was used to punish Misty for not telling the truth rather than to find out the truth and that concerns me.

 

[Peliman]

Nope Misty doesn't have to talk now or ever. She has 5 or 6 more charges to be sentenced on. While she can be as stubborn and as smart as she wishes and thinks she is. She also could be given consecutive prison terms and spend most of her life in prison.

She might also wake up before sentencing and convince prosecutors she's finally telling the truth and receive concurrent sentencing.

So I'm thinking Misty still has a choice to make between concurrent or consecutive sentencing.

 

[Lexington]

Well this 25 year sentence was certainly a guilty verdict without the benefit of a trial in a homicide case where there was no body, no evidence, no witness testimony and no Misty as the only suspect. Totally unfair, IMO. She was sentenced on an entirely different matter. If not, she would have gotten the 15 years like everyone else and maybe less because of her age and prior clean record. Very, very bad press for Satsuma.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Misty's sentence wasnt unfair imo. She was given the mandatory minimum and whether we agree with the laws or not those are the laws in Florida. And I am one of those who does not like the mandatory minimum laws but unless they are changed they are what they are.

However there is no denying that Misty was the main participant. She had already pleaded no contest to all of the numerous charges admitting there was enough evidence to find her guilty on all of them. She is what she is. A mid level drug dealer just like Judge Berger stated and because of that she will now do the time.

The illegal multiple acts she did to get convicted of drug trafficking had nothing to do with Haleigh's case and I hope one day she is convicted in Haleigh's case too.

It is simple to me, if Misty had no involvement at all in Haleigh's case she would have come forth immediately and told the truth and passed the first poly she took. It got worse and worse as she went along.

Berger constantly sees the Misty types who tries to blame everyone else for their own illegal wrongdoings, imo.

Misty just didn't fall under the YO rule imo. Now had she just had one or even two charge that would be different but it is logical that the one with the most offenses would get the most time. Misty and the others would have kept this up until they were caught. It isn't like this is all the drug trafficking they were going to do.

It isn't like anyone was having to twist Misty's arm to do these crimes either. She was very much into it and seemed to be rather savvy about all the ends and outs of trafficking drugs. Imo, Misty has done this before she even met RC, imo. She thinks this is the way poor people make their money. I imagine her poor excuse of parents showed her how very early on in her life.

I don't buy into all the conspiracy theories that frankly I don't see fitting. Misty doesn't tell what she knows because she knows getting out of prison at 43 years old or younger is a heck of a lot better than doing LWOP or worse.

I never really thought Misty would tell what happened that night to Haleigh. The one person Misty has had to look after most of her life is Misty and imo that is what she is continuing to do. She protects no one but herself. Imo, she cant even tell the truth about Tommy because to do that she would have to tell the real reason why he came there and imo it was to help her dispose of Haleigh's body.

But as far as the drug charges being unfair ......they aren't according to the laws in Florida.

IMO