Posted on 11/12/2004 3:30:03 PM PST by MizSterious
 |
|
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."
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
 |
|
| Scott Hacking, Mark's Brother |
|
|
|
|
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."
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"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.)
Well, remember the old saying: If I'd killed my wife the first time I wanted to I'd probably be getting out about now...
Trial will only take 1 week-wow! It is pretty cut and dried that Mark did it, but I don't believe it happened the way he claimed it did. This will be yet another one where we don't know exactly how/why, but this sob will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
thanks, Miz S!
I don't see that insanity will fly. Maybe he was insane after he realized what he did. I don't think it was premediated either. He should have been a man early on and it would be over for everyone involved. (except CTV and Fox)
I find it hard to get emotionally involved in these anymore. I'm bothered by the mob rules thing going on and I think the cheering by the masses that gather outside of court houses is vulgar at best.
(Sigh)
Justice is the right thing, and the thing we hope the most for. Lori's mother is right that no matter what, Mark will eventually face the Perfect Judge and answer for his crime.
Here we go again. Another murder the media can't wait to sensationalize.
I had to copy that pic. That was good.
Maybe they'll swarm like the pals.
Thanks for the ping. I'd forgotten about this with all the other excitement in the last month or two.
One wacky husband down, another one to go!
I wonder what MH's brothers are thinking. He confessed to them and now he pleads not guilty. Unless he's calling his own brothers liars, he's anticipating an insanity defense, which is practically impossible to pull off in Utah.
Really not looking forward to some Hollywood hotshot defense lawyer telling everyone that black is white and white is black for yet another year.
Jerilyn Merritt is going ballistic over the verdict. She's tearing into the jury for "unjustly" convicting Peterson. She's even squawking about the cheering of the crowd outside the courthouse.
Merritt is difficult for me to watch or listen to. She's shrill and her arguments often seem to lack logic. I think she's on television more than she's in a courtroom--could it be that she's not such a great lawyer? (Note: she was also on the team that represented Timothy McVeigh. She didn't do so well on that case.)
Most trial lawyers have strengths and they have weaknesses. Some are terrific crossers but you wouldn't want them addressing the jury directly in a summation. Others are good at researching or strategizing but generally don't participate directly in the proceedings. Merritt is probably no exception to this. That said, I think Fox has her on just to make sure the extreme position (which is usually the one she adopts) is represented so the discussion is "spirited" rather than boring. If they just had calm, reasonable, level-headed guests like Fuhrman on, a lot of viewers (not me) might tune out.
Hahaha! Geoffrey Fieger is going nuts, screaming about how Peterson and his people are being so mistreated -- by the crowd outside the courtroom and everybody else. Somebody needs to sedate this man. He's wailing in agony over poor murderous sociopathic Scotty. Greta is telling him he's full of shiite and doesn't know what he's talking about. Good for her!
Jerilyn Merritt? That name sounds familiar, is she someone noteworthy beyond being a reporter? Cheering mobs are tacky. Actually it's vulgar.
Feiger, Dr. Drip's attorney. WHat is with these people?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.