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.)
So was this murder.
Merritt is a criminal defense lawyer and TV talking head. In case you hadn't already guessed, she's on the left (started the talkleft.com website).
Good to know. I don't think I can view another Gloria Allred interview without going after her with a crucifix and a wooden stake.
Mercifully, I missed the Greta circus. Often, it seems to be all freak show and no high-wire. On some occasions, though, I've heard Feiger railing against Geragos--so now he's taking up the Scott cause? Oh, that's a little sick. (But remember, he was Kevorkian's lawyer.)
She seems to show up on all the high profile cases. I've seen her on CTV, Fox, and I hear CNN and MSNBC but I don't typically watch the last two. We saw a lot of her during the OKC bombing trials. She's on so many th shows I wonder when she has time to practice law. Maybe she doesn't any more.
I didn't know that about Merritt, but it doesn't surprise me. She seems to take up every leftist cause that comes down the road.
It's tempting anyway, with or without a new high-profile trial. :)
Sounds like the lawyers talked him into it. This happens all the time and they turn out to be the winner-take-all while their clients sink like a stone.
There was plenty of Geragos bashing going on last night, some of it justified, eg. at the start of the trial, Geragos promised the jury the world. He said he would prove conclusively that his client didn't do it, seemingly forgetting that the burden of proof is supposed to be on the prosecution. When he failed to deliver, he looked like a liar. OTOH, Fieger lashed out at Geragos for not being in court for the verdict. This was unfair and Greta had to explain to him that Geragos had no choice but to be in LA on another legal matter that couldn't wait. Everybody but Fieger seemed to know this.
If Peterson gets the DP, expect Merritt and Fieger to be lighting candles with Sarandon outside San Quentin on execution day.
I read somewhere that off all pregnant females who die, 1/3 are murdered by the father of the child (I think that is right).
Remember, there is that sports figure who had his pregnant girlfriend shot too. She died but the baby survived.
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.