There will be a plea deal before that.
I agree, Bunny.
Mr. Strauss-Kahn will have to come to terms with the reality of his situation.
The overwhelming evidence against him, and an extremely sympathetic victim.
As I see it, he has two options: his lawyers have only one possible defense as a legal option in a trial, consent.
A desperate defense in a desperate situation.
He can risk a jury trial with very high possibility of conviction, and spend what amounts to the rest of his life in prison, or he can negotiate a plea agreement with the Prosecutor, in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. He would have to admit to the crimes he is pleading guilty to in detail, in front if the Judge, in open court, and show remorse, and apologize to the victim.
Facing a one way ticket to Attica, DSK does not have a lot of options.
I hate to say it but you are probably right. They will try to plead it down to some lesser charge. Although if they have a really strong case the DA may not do it.