That is not how it worked. They did not say, “plea guilty and you are free or you will get 40 years in the slammer.”
They offered him a plea deal that would let him free. He turned down the plea deal, wanting to take his chances in court.
Because of his long criminal history, any court conviction would result in a sentence from 25 years to life in prison.
So the perp decided to gamble on a trial jury getting him off, even knowing he was facing at least 25 years if convicted.
He was an idiot to not take the plea deal. He clearly committed the crime.
My guess is, we are better off with this jackhole behind bars for the next 40 years than out on the street, so thank you Mr. Idiot T. Perp for making this easy on the rest of us and putting yourself behind bars until you are old and gray. Thanks, job well done.
or he was being Nifonged. Prosecutorial misconduct is common.