Chapter 18 - THE CRIMINAL PLEA OFFER
The prosecutor offered Trent a plea.
Factual admission:
Trent intentionally struck seven-year-old Mason Conti in the lower leg with a steel landscaping rod.
He did so as punishment for perceived disobedience involving memorial equipment.
The strike caused a nondisplaced fibular fracture.
No intent to cause permanent disability.
Recommended:
Custodial component.
Probation.
Child-contact restrictions in organized youth settings.
Anger-management and individual therapy.
Restitution for uncovered medical and counseling costs.
No unlawful contact with Mason.
Trent objected to:
"as punishment."
He wanted:
"during an emotionally charged dispute regarding protected property."
The prosecutor refused.
No deal.
Why did the word matter?
Because if it was punishment, then the family system mattered.
If it was a dispute, it was one bad second.
Trent could admit the swing.
May you like
He still could not admit the lesson.
Trial.
