Posted on 11/12/2004 3:30:03 PM PST by MizSterious
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Tonya Papanikolas Reporting
We've been expecting a "not guilty" plea in the Mark Hacking case and today there were no surprises at his arraignment; Mark Hacking did indeed plead "not guilty."
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The innocent plea infuriated Lori Hacking's family -- her brother had urged Hacking to "be a man" and accept punishment, and her mother said she felt outrage for Lori and her unborn child.
"I know that one day Mark will receive perfect judgment from the only judge who knows every detail of what he did that terrible night," the mother, Thelma Soares, told reporters outside a courtroom where Hacking appeared shackled and wearing a bulletproof vest. He was surrounded by a dozen bailiffs.
Mark Hacking had some family support at his arraignment today. Both his parents and brother Scott were there for Mark's plea.
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| Scott Hacking, Mark's Brother |
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Douglas Hacking, Defendant's Father: “It's been really hard, very hard."
Before court, Eraldo Soares said he hoped his son-in-law would plead "guilty."
Eraldo Soares, Lori Hacking's Father: “It would give us some rest. We wouldn't be any more suffering like we are."
But he and Lori's mother did not get that wish. Hacking's attorney, Gil Athay, entered a "not guilty" plea on behalf of his client.
Thelma Soares, Lori Hacking's Mother: “In pleading ‘not guilty’, Mark continues to hurt us…I feel outrage on behalf of Lori and her baby because Mark heaps now, insult upon injury.”
Eraldo Soares: I'm sad that he said "not guilty" because he keeps postponing the stopping the hurt that we have."
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Scott Hacking: “It seems to most of us that by just saying "guilty" and getting it over with is the right thing to do. But on the other hand, legally it makes sense that saying "not guilty" lets all of us learn the information."
Scott knows he may have to testify against his brother...
Scott Hacking: “As you can imagine, you hope that time never comes."
But no matter what happens in court, Thelma Soares says justice will be served.
Thelma Soares: “I know that one day, mark will receive perfect judgment, from the only judge who knows every detail of what he did that terrible night in July."
Hacking's plea came after the victim's brother, Paul Soares, appealed to Hacking to "take responsibility for your actions" and plead guilty to her murder.
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"Lori was sleeping like a princess in bed and you took her life ... if that is even how it happened. Are you being honest in that? Have you ever told the truth?"
Eraldo Soares said whatever the court decides in this case, he will accept. Scott Hacking told us Mark has undergone extensive psychiatric testing. We don't know if those tests will play into his defense.
Hacking's trial date was set for April 18th. It's expected to take about a week.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Lori Hacking pinglist--belated posting of the Mark Hacking hearing story. If anyone wants on or off, please let me know via Freepmail.
Whew! I was worried Greta Van Sustren wouldn't have anything to talk about tonight.
To bad we still don't have public hangings.
We could have a two-fer.
Well, thank goodness we have Mark Hacking since the Scott Peterson thing seems to be over. Can't have Greta without a faux celebrity trial to dissect daily.
Mark has seen the fame and fortune visited upon Scott Peterson and he wants his.
I just hope he gets the same kind of fame Scott got. :)
"Hacking's attorney, Gil Athay, entered a "not guilty" plea on behalf of his client."
My guess is Hacking was advised by his attorney or he himself sought a not guilty plea in order to get life in prison instead of the death penalty.
I can't believe this pos is pleading 'not guilty'.
Beats how long it took for scotty.
He's gonna lose :~)
sw
But how can he plead "not guilty" if he already confessed?
No argument here. I hope me meets his maker sooner than later.
"But how can he plead "not guilty" if he already confessed?"
Good question but for some reason our (sarcasm) legal system seems to allow confessions, then not allow them, repeat oft as needed in many clear cut cases. Hacking looks like he's going for insanity defense for life in prison to avoid a slam dunk death row sentence.
I hope the appropriately named "Hacking" gets just what he deserves for this twisted double murder - death by torture.
This looks like a good letter. Been looking for the complete text, but so far haven't found it. Her brother is on target. Has he ever told the truth?
"What's with this current rash of "kill your wife while she's pregnant?"
More like what's with the weekly killing a WOMEN in the whole USA. Burqa's coming soon to neighborhood near you (grim sarcasm)
Will this be the next trial that Greta covers now that Scotty P. is going to fry?!
I think it's the gas chamber in California. Regardless, the prison better keep him outta the general population or else he's gonna get sodomized and shanked real quick--and not necessarily in that order.
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