Monday June 15th, 1:30PM - A court hearing had been rescheduled (again) since February for the individual charged with Toffer's murder to accept a plea bargain.
February's date has been delayed six weeks due to an illness in the defense attorney's family.
Two Asst. DA's, One Muhlenberg Detective, One Judge, One Victim/ Witness Assistant and many of Toffer's family and friend's sit and wait, as no defense attorney is present.
Toffer's family and friends have their victim impact statements ready to read, they have all taken off from work (again) and their hearts are heavy.
Still they sit and wait.
3 O'clock, the defense attorney appears and announces that it's not his fault he is late. He heads into a small room attached to the court room to speak with his client. He reappears into the court room and holds a sidebar meeting with the other attorney's and Judge.
The ADA speaks with Toffer's family and tells them the accused has decided not to accept the plea bargain. He wants to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Now, we wait until November (Six more months) for a trial. These court delays are emotional torture for victims families. The anxiety and stress they cause is pure torture.
Only, when one walks in the shoes of a victim's family, can one begin to understand.
Treat others as you would want to be treated! God forbid anything traggic happen to someone in your family. The quest for justice is not swift, but very slow and painful. |
