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

[oceanblueeyes]

I simply believe that in 20 months LE has long ago established Ron's work hours and has established his hours before he went to work. Cell phone records are a wonderful thing and also the pings can pinpoint the location of someone when they make calls.

I doubt he would be left alone at such a large company without a supervisor on duty. If he was unloading the barge then the heavy duty machinery he used to do so would be loud. That just doesn't seem feasible to me. My son works for civil service and he is in management. He cannot leave, no matter what time it is, until all of his workers are gone and yes, he knows their location at all times and what they are doing. It is his job to know.

I don't believe Chelsea about the hole in the fence either. That is just convenient rumor mongering trying to make Ron "fit." No company that has millions upon millions of dollars worth of equipment and tools lets a hole remain in their fence.

So I think long ago LE knows there are security cameras on the yard as well toward the employee parking lot area too and imo they also know that a fingerprint scan has to be used to gain entrance and exit.

For PDM to go through all those security measures does not comport with Chelsea's tale that PDM had a hole in their fence. It seems they were very vigilant on security which they should be. If not secured they have many materials that could be used by terrorists or anyone up to no good to make a bomb.

If Ron Cummings had left without permission that day then PDM wouldn't have waited to fire him two months later when he didn't return to work after Haleigh went missing.

IMO

 

[krkrjx]

Donna may have been sentenced on a lessor charge but it was the same crime. 155 oxycodone.

IMO, Donna had more responsibility. Donna is old enough to be Misty's Mother. Donna does not seem to have a lifelong drug history. Donna is the one who obtained a prescription for 155 oxycodone.

I feel differently about Misty being sentenced as a YO. For me, it isn't about the 6 years as much as everything that Youthful Offender Program has to offer.

"F.S. 958 requires that enhanced program services be provided to youthful offender inmates. In response, the Extended Day Program was developed. This is a 16-hour daytime program at youthful offender institutions that is designed to provide at least 12 hours of activities. The program is structured to include work assignments, education (vocational and academic) programs, counseling, behavior modification, military style drills, systematic discipline and other programmatic opportunities that will reduce inmate idleness and enhance the young inmate's chance at becoming a law abiding citizen upon re-entry into the community. "

http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/youthful/

Misty didn't just fall throught the cracks, she was buried under a pile a rubble. Most kids who have parents like Misty's have school to help see there is a different life possible. But even the schools did not miss Misty.

IMO, the Youthful Offender Program was created for kids like Misty. I know that with the other charges, it doesn't really matter. But I just cannot see how locking her up for 25 years after the life she has had will do anything other than reinforce the message she was given her entire life. She doesn't matter and will never result to anything.

Sounds reasonable to me, so...tell it to the judge! :dance:

Rest assured that with these mandatory sentences being so out of line for the offenses, these players will be instrumental in bringing about change, IMO, especially if Misty ends up being required to serve 50 years before she can be considered for release. And really, Misty's chances on appeal are pretty good. If Misty's upcoming Putnam sentences run concurrent with the 25 years she already has, her chance on appeal may be lessened; if the sentence is consecutive to St. Johns, her chance on appeal increases.

The appellate court looks at things like that because while the law might require Misty serve 25 years, it does not in any statute I have found require she serve a minimum of 50. If Misty has to serve 50 years, some eyebrows will be raised, IMO. If there are extenuating circumstances in any convicted person's case, appellate court looks long and hard at that. And just for the record, I have seen people win on appeal...people who were guilty of violent crimes, even. I have seen sentences commuted to time served, for perps a lot scarier than Misty.

Misty needs some prison time, IMO...but nowhere near 25 years!

Wait and be patient. This is far from over.

 

[justus4all]

Sounds reasonable to me, so...tell it to the judge! :dance:

Rest assured that with these mandatory sentences being so out of line for the offenses, these players will be instrumental in bringing about change, IMO, especially if Misty ends up being required to serve 50 years before she can be considered for release. And really, Misty's chances on appeal are pretty good. If Misty's upcoming Putnam sentences run concurrent with the 25 years she already has, her chance on appeal may be lessened; if the sentence is consecutive to St. Johns, her chance on appeal increases.

The appellate court looks at things like that because while the law might require Misty serve 25 years, it does not in any statute I have found require she serve a minimum of 50. If Misty has to serve 50 years, some eyebrows will be raised, IMO. If there are extenuating circumstances in any convicted person's case, appellate court looks long and hard at that. And just for the record, I have seen people win on appeal...people who were guilty of violent crimes, even. I have seen sentences commuted to time served, for perps a lot scarier than Misty.

Misty needs some prison time, IMO...but nowhere near 25 years!

Wait and be patient. This is far from over.

bolded by me...

Misty just may get her sentence appealed.....

I 1000% agree....We must be patient...This is FAR from Over!!!

 

[Amster]

I do not think Misty should have to serve one single minute longer than Ronald Cummings.

JMO

Misty nor her family has the clout that dear Ronald and his family have down there. Crystal and her family don't either. Allowing dear Ronald to make a deal on his 2 most serious charges, using info about his dead daughter, is repulsive to me. That it was even allowed is sickening.

IF this case in never resolved, IMO, it's on the heads of the LE and whomever else has been hellbent on protecting Ronald Cummings. I bet it killed them to have to arrest him....:sick:

Misty has nothing to lose at this point. She's going to be in prison for life, anyway. Might as well tell what happened to Haleigh and where she is. But, my bet is she won't.

 

[justus4all]

Misty nor her family has the clout that dear Ronald and his family have down there. Crystal and her family don't either. Allowing dear Ronald to make a deal on his 2 most serious charges, using info about his dead daughter, is repulsive to me. That it was even allowed is sickening.

IF this case in never resolved, IMO, it's on the heads of the LE and whomever else has been hellbent on protecting Ronald Cummings. I bet it killed them to have to arrest him....:sick:

Misty has nothing to lose at this point. She's going to be in prison for life, anyway. Might as well tell what happened to Haleigh and where she is. But, my bet is she won't.

Good point!!!

It does appear TN feels the LE is on her side...
Misty may not tell what happend to Haleigh....due to...she may not know..
IMO...I don't beleive the Cummings would want her to know....IMO..

 

[Boots-OK]

bbm

I guess that's how I got confused bc i have in my mind that video in which i thought IIRC I saw Misty AND Ron in the car during the sting or whatver the correct term is, (hence the same county duh) but I could be mistaken... obviously I am.

iow, I had it in my head that Ron and Misty were together (same car, same county, same minimum sentence parameters etc) when ....whatever happened happened with the undercover LE regarding the drug exchange.

Kant, I am by no means an expert on all the drug deals in this case; however, I don't believe Ron had charges in St. John's county.

I believe Misty and Donna were the only ones in the video that resulted in the charges that got Misty her 25 year sentence.

Ron was with Misty when the actual arrest went down in Putnam County. Misty will be in court over the PC charges the 19th, I believe.

If I am wrong, someone please correct me.

 

[dodie20]

Misty nor her family has the clout that dear Ronald and his family have down there. Crystal and her family don't either. Allowing dear Ronald to make a deal on his 2 most serious charges, using info about his dead daughter, is repulsive to me. That it was even allowed is sickening.

IF this case in never resolved, IMO, it's on the heads of the LE and whomever else has been hellbent on protecting Ronald Cummings. I bet it killed them to have to arrest him....:sick:

Misty has nothing to lose at this point. She's going to be in prison for life, anyway. Might as well tell what happened to Haleigh and where she is. But, my bet is she won't.

I don't know if TN has clout with LE or not... sometimes it seems like she does, but after listening to Levi, I kind of doubt it. What leverage would she have? She's not rich, has no political clout, & her family stays in trouble. Also, she didn't even manage to hold on to custody of her kids, for some reason. That may have been by choice, but I doubt it. I think she may have an inside friend or 2 on the force, but as far as having all of these people in her back pocket...I don't see it. I think she likes giving off the air that her family is special, & not 'dysfunctional', but Ron's 15 year sentence, pretty much took care of that. I think LE has been going with the greater of 2 evils here, & that's why they've hounded the Croslins. & after hearing Lisa admit to blackmailing Misty, well...I guess they deserve it. If a mom can do that, there's no telling what that family is capable of. That makes me wonder what this family is covering up to be blackmailed for, & it makes me wonder what they did to Haleigh. & let me add...if Lisa was blackmailing Misty with Haleigh information, & I guess she was, has she told LE? I'm dumbfounded that she'd use that information for drugs. What a wicked thing to do. MOO.

 

[mck16]

Kant, I am by no means an expert on all the drug deals in this case; however, I don't believe Ron had charges in St. John's county.

I believe Misty and Donna were the only ones in the video that resulted in the charges that got Misty her 25 year sentence.

Ron was with Misty when the actual arrest went down in Putnam County. Misty will be in court over the PC charges the 19th, I believe.

If I am wrong, someone please correct me.

I think some of the confusion at least for me is I have only seen one video of the "sting". The one with RC, MC, and RC's cousin. I don't know if anymore were ever released or not. But, there are several more arrests and MC had more charges than RC. Does anyone know if there are more videos of the various stings?

 

[Kat]

I signed on just for the purpose of saying THANKS to your post, bessie.

While I think 25 years for Misty is overkill, I am glad she did not get YO and the paltry six years that would have allowed. I am not unhappy that Misty will be off the streets for a good long while.

People like Misty do whatever they want and then whine when they get caught. If Misty had not been brought down, she would go through her whole life not accepting any responsibility for her actions. She would just play the "pity me because of my childhood" card over and over again. And worse, she would have had kids, and they would likely have grown up doing what they saw their mother doing.

When I was younger I had a similar attitude to Misty's. I grew up in the foster care system and had to fight just to survive. I graduated from high school at 17 and immediately removed myself from the state's care. Still, I was in the world alone, with no parents to talk to and siblings who had their own problems. I made some very poor choices for much the same reasons Misty did. And each time, I played the "poor me" card.

But, there comes a time in life when we have to be held accountable and we have to own our mistakes. Misty has not done that. And regardless of how she was brought up or how scared she is, or how persecuted she might feel, nothing excuses not coming forward to assist in an investigation for a missing child, and going as far as to accuse an innocent person of a violent rape and murder of a child is just unforgivable in my book.

I can understand how Misty grew into what she is, but I cannot excuse her lies, her whining, and her ongoing defiance. Misty cried real tears when she was arrested and again when she was sentenced. But those tears were for herself. Did she ever cry such tears for Haleigh? I doubt it.

Had to bump this.

Amazing post. As well as the post by Bessie to which krkrjx is responding to above.

Justice was handed out, the sentence IMHO will be appealed and mitigated. She won't serve that long. I have no sympathy or empathy for her in this particular instance (drug sentencing).

The bottom line in all of this, even if it isn't directly connected to Misty's sentencing.

Where

Is

Haleigh?

They can all sit and do every single day of their sentences as far as I'm concerned. Where is she? JMHO.

 

[blazeofglory]

mc was entrapped,imo she should have taken this to trial and never said a word..i cant believe she was allowed to speak..skb brought his theory to the table and a little after that they where arrested and then a few days after that skb announced he has solved the case..but he hadnt he just ran with the cobra tapes where rc was trying to mislead everyone. imo cob new jo didnt do it he just let rc ramble on and mislead..

 

[krkrjx]

Had to bump this.

Amazing post. As well as the post by Bessie to which krkrjx is responding to above.

Justice was handed out, the sentence IMHO will be appealed and mitigated. She won't serve that long. I have no sympathy or empathy for her in this particular instance (drug sentencing).

The bottom line in all of this, even if it isn't directly connected to Misty's sentencing.

Where

Is

Haleigh?

They can all sit and do every single day of their sentences as far as I'm concerned. Where is she? JMHO.

Kat, I believe the sentence was just only in comparison to the sentencing of the others. I do not think Ron should have had charges dropped; I think he should be doing as much or more time than Misty, but he got his minimum and so did she. But I do not feel that a 25-year mandatory sentence is appropriate for Misty's offense.

I do not like Misty. I do not like one single thing about her. I cannot forgive her lies and what she tried to do to her cousin Joe is reprehensible. Plus, there is a possibility that Misty harmed Haleigh; without knowing the facts that LE has, we cannot be sure that she didn't. I am glad Misty is off the streets, mainly because I would not want to see her having babies. I realize that is not my call, but I don't care; I would fear for any child that had Misty as a mother.

The problem I have with Misty's 25-year sentence is that others charged with similar crimes do not get that much time. And they do not have such high bond amounts that they languish in jail for nearly a year before sentencing. I am not talking about the other players here; I am talking about a host of other drug dealers who go through the revolving doors in Florida. On top of that, sex offenders--even those who prey on children--do not have mandatory minimum sentences and often their charges have mandatory maximums that are not as high as Misty's minimum!

I want Misty in prison; she belongs there. She did the crime and she should do time for it. But 25 years is ridiculous! Misty's crime was non-violent. And whether or not Misty was involved in another crime should have no bearing whatsoever.

In my state, Misty's sentence would have been about one year, and she would have gotten credit for time served. Even a repeat offender in my state would only get around four years. An ex-con might get eight years. A woman in my state killed a man while driving drunk, left the scene, then lied to LE about it for weeks. She was eventually convicted of vehicular homicide and hit-and-run. Her sentence was four years, and she will be out in three.

I know it doesn't matter what other states do, but there are inequities in sentencing for drug offenses in Florida, and that is the reason I think Misty has a decent chance of winning on appeal. If the mandatory minimums are in fact mandatory, there should be no inequities.

I do not think Misty should skate, but she should not go down for 25 years for crying out loud! Misty might come out of prison in ten years with her GED, some type of vocational training, and a hard lesson learned. In 25 years, she will just come out hardened and bitter.

JMO.

 

[bessie]

Sounds reasonable to me, so...tell it to the judge! :dance:

Rest assured that with these mandatory sentences being so out of line for the offenses, these players will be instrumental in bringing about change, IMO, especially if Misty ends up being required to serve 50 years before she can be considered for release. And really, Misty's chances on appeal are pretty good. If Misty's upcoming Putnam sentences run concurrent with the 25 years she already has, her chance on appeal may be lessened; if the sentence is consecutive to St. Johns, her chance on appeal increases.

The appellate court looks at things like that because while the law might require Misty serve 25 years, it does not in any statute I have found require she serve a minimum of 50. If Misty has to serve 50 years, some eyebrows will be raised, IMO. If there are extenuating circumstances in any convicted person's case, appellate court looks long and hard at that. And just for the record, I have seen people win on appeal...people who were guilty of violent crimes, even. I have seen sentences commuted to time served, for perps a lot scarier than Misty.

Misty needs some prison time, IMO...but nowhere near 25 years!

Wait and be patient. This is far from over.

That's a good possibility. I think it depends on whether or not the truth about Haleigh is ever revealed. If it turns out that Misty and/or Ron are innocent, their cases might be highlighted as an argument for MMS critics. At any rate, the MMS laws are controversial, and when it comes to change, it's all about dollars and cents.

This is an interesting article on the subject from April of this year.

While other states have enacted measures repealing decades-old mandatory sentencing laws in the face of rising corrections costs, Florida has yet to follow suit.

"The difference between Florida and quite a few other states is that [Florida lawmakers] haven't taken the comprehensive look at the laws that have been enacted and the impact of those laws," said Linda Mills, who's been consulting nonprofit organizations on Florida justice reform issues since 2005.

Experts are hopeful that the tide may be slowly turning."We've identified Florida as being particularly problematic because of the length of the drug mandatory minimums. We also think some really good stuff is happening in Florida," said Deborah Fleischaker of the Washington, D.C.-based group Families Against Mandatory Minimums, which has spearheaded a lobbying effort in Florida.
"People are starting to pay attention because the budget is a mess," she said.

Fifteen years ago, Florida's corrections budget was $1.6 billion, or 9.4 percent of the state's total budget. By fiscal year 2009-2010, that corrections budget ballooned to $2.4 billion, consuming about 11 percent of the general revenue fund.

With Florida now facing an approximately $3 billion budget shortfall heading into 2010-2011, recent prison projection estimates have turned this forecast even stormier.

Already at 101,467 inmates in February, the state's prison population is expected to swell to over 115,000 by 2015, requiring the construction of nine new prisons and a cost to taxpayers of over $862 million, according to a March report from the Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability.

http://www.ocala.com/article/20100425/ARTICLES/4251014?p=3&tc=pg

 

[bessie]

all true, but here's where I have a problem. Ron. The judge didn't ask him if he loved his drug sale money, & he wasn't chastized for dealing during the Haleigh investigation. & the only thing he's done to help himself, is talk. finally. & if somebody else's pain is alleviated because of the fallout, then so be it, but I doubt that was his motive. He didn't say whatever it was he had to say, until he got his deal, so I believe he played a big part in prolonging Crystal's & everybody else's agony. Evidently, him admitting to that gun fight was a big deal, or he would've admitted to it a long time ago. & who knows, maybe that information would've been enough to void that last search. & when it's all said & done, Ron was Haleigh's father. & I don't care what any of them said about those kids loving Misty or her loving them, or how much Haleigh wanted Misty to be her mother, she was just the babysitter. Misty was there because Ron wanted her there. & if it turns out that she killed Haleigh, there is no way I'll ever believe that Ron didn't actively cover for her. & IMO, that's been just as detrimental to this case being solved, as Misty covering for herself. probably more, because Misty alone, couldn't have pulled this off. MOO.

I totally agree with everything you've said about Ron, Dodie, but it has no bearing on the facts pertaining to Misty. They're not riding a seesaw. In other words, the weight of one's wrongdoings does not heighten or lower the responsibility of the other. I know where you're coming from, though. When I look at the situation strictly from my heart, I see it the same way.

 

[Whisperer]

REF OceanBlue's post at the very top of the page:

IF PDM waited two months to fire rc, it was out of respect for his loss. At that, think about it, if rc was a good worker and they liked him, would they have let him go? They hired Security, FGS, after they told him. That doesn't speak very well for PDM's affection towards rc.

 

[Whisperer]

Fifteen years is a lot of prison time but rc gets to smirk because misty got more and he said she would. I guess that bothers me and it shouldn't...but it does.

 

[Whisperer]

Dollars to donuts, rc admitted (FINALLY) to the gun fight because they weren't charging him for illegal gun posession...simple...he made a deal. Wonder what else he told?

And that is why he hid his guns and lied throughout the entire investigation...ron protecting ron. So he denied there was a fight over a gun; his daughter is missing and he is lying about possible motive for the death of his daughter....What a guy!

 

[bessie]

bbm

I guess that's how I got confused bc i have in my mind that video in which i thought IIRC I saw Misty AND Ron in the car during the sting or whatver the correct term is, (hence the same county duh) but I could be mistaken... obviously I am.

iow, I had it in my head that Ron and Misty were together (same car, same county, same minimum sentence parameters etc) when ....whatever happened happened with the undercover LE regarding the drug exchange.

I understand, Kant. You're not alone.

The snippets of video that were made public have really confused the issue, and I sometimes question why LE chose those two particular pieces of footage for release. Eight individual transactions occurred between December 22, 2009 and January 20, 2010. The videos showed the two which took place on 01/13/10 and 01/20/10, respectively. A third piece of video from the 01/08/10 incident involving Misty and Donna B. was also released, but it didn't receive the same exposure as the others.

Here's a brief timeline which I hope will lend perspective to the situation.

12/22/09
Misty and Tommy -- 45 oxycodone, ManMin=3 years

01/08/10
Misty and Donna Brock -- 130 oxycodone, ManMin=25 years
*In St. John's County; all other incidents occurred in Putnam County.

01/12/2010
Misty and Ron (Hope Sykes present but not charged) -- 4 hydrocodone, ManMin=3 years

01/13/2010
Misty, Ron and Hope (all three charged) -- 25 hydrocodone, ManMin=15 years

01/14/2010
Misty and Ron -- 71 hydrocodone, ManMin=25 years

01/18/2010
Misty and "K", a juvenile -- 18 hydrocodone, ManMin=3 years (Following the transaction, the UC drove Misty to a location where Ron was waiting for her in his car. He was not charged.)

01/19/2010
Misty and Ron -- I'm unable to locate an incident report for this transaction online. We know from the dockets that both Misty and Ron were charged with a drug felony on this date with a ManMin of 15 years.

01/20/2010
Misty and Ron -- The UC turned over 200 pills to Misty and Ron which the two agreed to sell. As shown in the video, the bust occurred while this transaction was in process. ManMin=25 years

 

[Whisperer]

Where'd they get those 1000mg vicodins...WOW! I've only seen 500mgs...that is the average. A bottle of 30 (500mg) is 15 gms and that will get you 15 years...WHew!

I am interested in the tommy/misty deal. How did that occur? Did misty turn in tommy on that one? no video. Is it true he was arrested a month after the deal? If so, misty had to have told...just speculating.

 

[dodie20]

Fifteen years is a lot of prison time but rc gets to smirk because misty got more and he said she would. I guess that bothers me and it shouldn't...but it does.

It bothers me too, but then I think about how he feels about his 15. That IMO, bothers him a whole lot more than Misty's sentence pleases him. IMO, he should be worried. He could've gotten a whole lot less, but he didn't, & he's smart enough to know, that this isn't over for him. He was offered a deal in the drug case, but if he's hiding something in the Haleigh case, even if it's not murder, he might get charged.

 

[bessie]

Donna may have been sentenced on a lessor charge but it was the same crime. 155 oxycodone.

IMO, Donna had more responsibility. Donna is old enough to be Misty's Mother. Donna does not seem to have a lifelong drug history. Donna is the one who obtained a prescription for 155 oxycodone.

I feel differently about Misty being sentenced as a YO. For me, it isn't about the 6 years as much as everything that Youthful Offender Program has to offer.

"F.S. 958 requires that enhanced program services be provided to youthful offender inmates. In response, the Extended Day Program was developed. This is a 16-hour daytime program at youthful offender institutions that is designed to provide at least 12 hours of activities. The program is structured to include work assignments, education (vocational and academic) programs, counseling, behavior modification, military style drills, systematic discipline and other programmatic opportunities that will reduce inmate idleness and enhance the young inmate's chance at becoming a law abiding citizen upon re-entry into the community. "

http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/youthful/

Misty didn't just fall throught the cracks, she was buried under a pile a rubble. Most kids who have parents like Misty's have school to help see there is a different life possible. But even the schools did not miss Misty.

IMO, the Youthful Offender Program was created for kids like Misty. I know that with the other charges, it doesn't really matter. But I just cannot see how locking her up for 25 years after the life she has had will do anything other than reinforce the message she was given her entire life. She doesn't matter and will never result to anything.

It sounds like an excellent program with much to offer to those willing to receive it. Unfortunately, it's also very expensive, and the court bears an obligation to the taxpayers to be prudent with their money. I certainly don't know all of the reasons Judge Berger denied this option to Misty, but I would think fiscal responsibility played a part in her decision. When choosing candidates for the program from the various young defendants who enter her courtroom, the judge has to assess which of them will apply themselves and make the best use of it. From the court's perspective, Misty didn't show promise. And to be perfectly frank, by her unwillingness to accept responsibility and her lack of remorse, I don't think she gave the court reason to believe that she'd be anything more than a waste of money. Harsh but true.