home

Darren Mack Plea Withdrawal Hearings Begin Today

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Tue Jan 15, 2008 at 10:17:54 AM EST
Tags: Darren Mack (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

In Reno, Nevada, hearings begin today to decide whether Darren Mack, who pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and shooting the couple's divorce judge, will be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea.

Mack is alleging he was "psychologically raped" by his defense counsel, David Chesnoff, a TL friend whom I consider to be one of the best lawyers in the country. (some of his recent cases are discussed here.)

Mack had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but after the Government finished presenting its evidence at trial, Mack agreed to plead guilty to offenses that would avoid a mandatory life sentence and make him eligible for parole after 20 years.

Mack is also alleging that the judge he shot, Chuck Weller, demanded $5 million from Mack to agree to the plea deal, a charge the judge denies.

< Congressional Steroids Hearings And Open Thread | Poll: Dead Heat in Nevada Dems Race >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Darren Mack Plea Withdrawal Hearings Begin Today | 5 comments (5 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    boy, i don't know, maybe (none / 0) (#1)
    by cpinva on Tue Jan 15, 2008 at 10:25:16 AM EST
    he is nuts!

    Mack is also alleging that the judge he shot, Chuck Weller, demanded $5 million from Mack to agree to the plea deal,
    Same thought: 20 years, then (none / 0) (#2)
    by oculus on Tue Jan 15, 2008 at 10:54:09 AM EST
    eligible for parole?  Pretty attractive deal, I'd say.

    Parent
    As deals go, yes (none / 0) (#3)
    by scribe on Tue Jan 15, 2008 at 12:05:50 PM EST
    it would be attractive, considering the allegations.

    Parent
    sounds like a good deal to me (none / 0) (#4)
    by txpublicdefender on Tue Jan 15, 2008 at 02:47:27 PM EST
    Parole eligibility after 20 years for murdering your wife with your kid there and then attempting to assassinate a judge?  That sounds like an excellent deal.  

    Agreed (none / 0) (#5)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 15, 2008 at 02:55:11 PM EST
    especially since the defense had the opportunity to assess the Government's case at trial.  The plea deal was after the Government rested.

    Darren Mack Plea Withdrawal Hearings Begin Today | 5 comments (5 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment