[AppyPappy]

Pleading to kidnapping and sexual assault when you are innocent is a bit more than just bad advice.

[ClearCase_guy]

I agree. And since I have no knowledge of this particular case, maybe I should stop there -- but it's the internet, so I'll throw in a last thought:

If your lawyer tells you that conviction is a done deal, that the simple fact is that you will be doing time for kidnapping and sexual assault, then that kind of ruins your day. But wait! Your lawyer has good news! if you plead innocent and go through a long trial, the jail time will be very severe, but if you plead guilty, the jail time will be bad, but perhaps not as bad as it would be otherwise. So, your lawyer recommends that you make lemonade from lemons and just plead guilty.

Some would. Some wouldn't. I suspect these folks did.