Posted on 09/22/2004 6:27:51 AM PDT by i_dont_chat
GALVESTON - A Galveston judge rejected a plea bargain that would have closed out two bail-jumping charges and one evidence-tampering charge against New York millionaire Robert Durst.
"The law says the lawyers can agree on a punishment, but a judge has the right to say, 'No, I don't agree with that punishment,' " Criss said. "If a judge does that, the defendant can then withdraw his plea of guilty and change it to not guilty."
Criss has been praised and criticized for setting bonds so high on each of the three charges outstanding against Durst. Criss has said she set the bonds so high in part because Durst poses a threat to the community if released and because he poses a flight risk.
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.