Awaiting Sentencing

[TobyTiger]

MACK SENTENCING HEARING

Before Darren Mack entered his guilty plea for the shooting of Judge Chuck Weller he made sure of one thing:
"It was informed to me that you at my sentencing that I will have all the time I need, because there are some very important things I would like to share. I have remained quiet thru this whole thing and now I would like to come forward and speak and it was represented that I would have that with your honor."

Giving Mack plenty of time to tell the court why he took a shot at family court judge Chuck Weller will be top priority according to the judge.
That's one reason for the additional time....but there will also be time for others.
"My family and people of that nature can come and testify on my behalf."

Psychiatrists may also take the stand for the defense.

But the hearing won't be one sided. Soorya Townley--Charla's mother may also take the stand about the impact her daughter's murder has had on her....Judge Chuck Weller could make an impact statement as well.

Prosecutor Robert Daskas gave a hint as to who he might call during the sentencing phase of the case.

" It was our intent in rebuttal to call a Lucien Haag to the stand. He is a renown fire arms expert and he will provide testimony regarding velocity of that .243 caliber cartridge the fact the bullet entered double pane glass and that certainly the defendant could not take those things into consideration and then suggest to the jury he didn't intend to kill."

Washoe District Court Judge Janet Berry says even a defedant with no prior record still faces tremendous scrunity.

" If they have never been in trouble in their life and they come in big time, like murder, rape robbery--horrible crime. Then oftentimes those sentencing can depend upon victim impact statements the facts of the case, and really to the passion of the case and the arguments of counsel. But there are just certain things that we as citizens and humans just won't tolerate and even if you have never been in trouble in your life. You can end up serving a lot of prison time."

[GollyGeeWhiz]

Originally Posted by TobyTiger

MACK SENTENCING HEARING

"It was informed to me that you at my sentencing that I will <snipped> ... and it was represented that I would have that with your honor."

<snipped>

Excuse me?

Mr. All-Knowing Super-Evolved was having some problems speechifying there, weren't he?

[TobyTiger]

Originally Posted by GollyGeeWhiz

Excuse me?

Mr. All-Knowing Super-Evolved was having some problems speechifying there, weren't he?

Only a preview of what will occur at the sentencing hearing...


As an observation, for someone who was supposed to have gone over this plea agreement with his attorneys over last weekend, he certainly didn't seem to fully comprehend what was in that agreement when he was questioned by Judge Herndon.

[GollyGeeWhiz]

Originally Posted by TobyTiger

Only a preview of what will occur at the sentencing hearing...


As an observation, for someone who was supposed to have gone over this plea agreement with his attorneys over last weekend, he certainly didn't seem to fully comprehend what was in that agreement when he was questioned by Judge Herndon.

I know. And why am I suspicious that at least part of his confusion was on account of the rose colored glasses his attorneys slapped on his face while they had those discussions.

[TobyTiger]

Originally Posted by GollyGeeWhiz

I know. And why am I suspicious that at least part of his confusion was on account of the rose colored glasses his attorneys slapped on his face while they had those discussions.

I had the same impression. Actually at one point I thought Judge Herndon might ask him if he needed more time to go over the agreement with his attorneys. It appeared there were two things he was most concerned about: getting his platform time in the sentencing hearing and the 20-year sentence for Charla's murder. It will be interesting what sentence is handed down for the attempted murder of Judge Weller...

[GollyGeeWhiz]

Originally Posted by TobyTiger

I had the same impression. Actually at one point I thought Judge Herndon might ask him if he needed more time to go over the agreement with his attorneys. It appeared there were two things he was most concerned about: getting his platform time in the sentencing hearing and the 20-year sentence for Charla's murder. It will be interesting what sentence is handed down for the attempted murder of Judge Weller...

Something tells me Herndon will show very little mercy for the attempt on Judge Weller's life. IMO, it's completely illogical to try to defend that act by saying that DM did not intend to kill the judge. That's just nonsense no matter how you slice it. Plus, the state has a firearms expert available to testify about the caliber of the bullet DM used and WHY that particular caliber would be used by a person who knows alot about firearms (DM).

[TobyTiger]

Originally Posted by GollyGeeWhiz

Something tells me Herndon will show very little mercy for the attempt on Judge Weller's life. IMO, it's completely illogical to try to defend that act by saying that DM did not intend to kill the judge. That's just nonsense no matter how you slice it. Plus, the state has a firearms expert available to testify about the caliber of the bullet DM used and WHY that particular caliber would be used by a person who knows alot about firearms (DM).

I believe you could be right about Judge Herndon. Mack won't be preaching to a jury who may have at least one member who sympathizes with him, but rather to a Judge who will carefully weigh all the evidence before him. He not only could sentence Mack to the maximum for the attempted murder, but also have him serve in consecutively to the murder charge.

[GollyGeeWhiz]

Found this on craigslist. Wonder who's behind it?



Judge Weller Class Action Lawsuit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: pers-474134794@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-11-09, 4:02PM PST


Attention people far and wide. A class action lawsuit is being prepared against the State of Nevada, Washoe County, and 2nd Judicial Court Judge Weller. If you, or you know of somebody who was mistreated by this judge, please respond to this posting. Make sure you give your name, phone number, and the best time to call.
When responding, please identify the following:
1. Who your counsel is/was (if any), and who represented your ex.
2. Specify the nature of your case, ie Divorce and/or Custody.
3. Case dates as to when your case was commenced and completed, or if
it is still active.
4. If you wish to give specifics regarding your case, please keep it brief
and not more than a paragraph in length.
The most important items that are needed are items 1 & 2. This information
may be used to demonstrate a bias and may be enough to get national media
attention, and assistance.

Location: Washoe County
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 474134794


http://reno.craigslist.org/rnr/474134794.html

[TobyTiger]

Interesting...

Could be that "friend" of Macks who testified at the trial. He seemed to still be anti-Judge Weller and likely to carry on the crusade against him.

[GollyGeeWhiz]

Originally Posted by TobyTiger

Interesting...

Could be that "friend" of Macks who testified at the trial. He seemed to still be anti-Judge Weller and likely to carry on the crusade against him.

The timing is interesting - especially if this has been initiated by a Mack friend or acquaintance (which I think it's safe to assume). Seems to me that either the person(s) wanted to wait until the trial was over for some reason, or perhaps those who were hoping to 'expose' Weller through the Mack trial didn't get their fix due to the plea agreement.

Think I'll read up on class action lawsuits just to get a basic understanding.

[TobyTiger]

Originally Posted by GollyGeeWhiz

The timing is interesting - especially if this has been initiated by a Mack friend or acquaintance (which I think it's safe to assume). Seems to me that either the person(s) wanted to wait until the trial was over for some reason, or perhaps those who were hoping to 'expose' Weller through the Mack trial didn't get their fix due to the plea agreement.

Think I'll read up on class action lawsuits just to get a basic understanding.

I'd agree that someone may be slightly disappointed that the defense didn't put on a case to further "expose" Judge Weller.


A "class action" is a civil suit brought by one or more people on behalf of themselves and others who are similarly situated. In other words, the others are in a substantially similar circumstance where the common issues are the most critical to the lawsuit. For example, if a large number of consumers is injured as a result of an allegedly defective product, the principal issue will be whether the product caused the injury. Some examples of class actions are those brought against the manufacturers of allegedly defective or hazardous products.

Typical class actions involve hundreds, thousands or millions of people who have comparable claims. Class action "certification" permits all claims to be heard in a single trial.

I personally do not see how grievances against Judge Weller for rulings made in his courtroom would have merit under this category.

[GollyGeeWhiz]

Originally Posted by TobyTiger

I'd agree that someone may be slightly disappointed that the defense didn't put on a case to further "expose" Judge Weller.


A "class action" is a civil suit brought by one or more people on behalf of themselves and others who are similarly situated. In other words, the others are in a substantially similar circumstance where the common issues are the most critical to the lawsuit. For example, if a large number of consumers is injured as a result of an allegedly defective product, the principal issue will be whether the product caused the injury. Some examples of class actions are those brought against the manufacturers of allegedly defective or hazardous products.

Typical class actions involve hundreds, thousands or millions of people who have comparable claims. Class action "certification" permits all claims to be heard in a single trial.

I personally do not see how grievances against Judge Weller for rulings made in his courtroom would have merit under this category.

I found similar definitions of a class action lawsuit, and I agree - I don't see how it can be pulled off with regard to grievances against Judge Weller. I doubt there are even 'hundreds' of complainants, but even if there are, I can't begin to imagine what would be comparable or common across all their claims.

I do admit to being curious, though, about why this particular family court judge seems to have so many more vocal opponents than the norm. Unless, of course, all this sound & fury is coming from the same small handful of folks.

[TobyTiger]

Originally Posted by GollyGeeWhiz

I found similar definitions of a class action lawsuit, and I agree - I don't see how it can be pulled off with regard to grievances against Judge Weller. I doubt there are even 'hundreds' of complainants, but even if there are, I can't begin to imagine what would be comparable or common across all their claims.

I do admit to being curious, though, about why this particular family court judge seems to have so many more vocal opponents than the norm. Unless, of course, all this sound & fury is coming from the same small handful of folks.

I would be curious as to just how many do have grievances against Judge Weller, and what the grievances are. Many people exit Family Court feeling dissatisfied but that does not mean that the Judge's rulings were unfair.