Re:MIT releases report on its actions in the Aaron Swartz case
by danielweber on Tuesday July 30, 2013 @04:05PM
(#6129651)
That was only mentioned AFTER he died
Maybe to outsiders, but Aaron and Aaron's lawyers both knew the six-month plea deal was on the table.
The DOJ publicly said "up to 35 years," and they deserve what they get for saying that --
-- but Aaron's lawyers didn't just fall off the turnip truck. They knew federal sentencing guidelines. Even if guilty on all counts, there were good odds that Aaron would face 0 days in jail, being a first-time non-violent offender. There was a 0.00% chance of Aaron going to jail for 35 years.
Maybe to outsiders, but Aaron and Aaron's lawyers both knew the six-month plea deal was on the table.
The DOJ publicly said "up to 35 years," and they deserve what they get for saying that --
-- but Aaron's lawyers didn't just fall off the turnip truck. They knew federal sentencing guidelines. Even if guilty on all counts, there were good odds that Aaron would face 0 days in jail, being a first-time non-violent offender. There was a 0.00% chance of Aaron going to jail for 35 years.