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Unusual porn case leads to unusual rejection of a federal plea deal

By Douglas A. Berman

It is notable any time that a federal judge rejects a plea deal worked out by the prosecution and the defense.  But, as documented by local coverage here and here, an unusual porn case from Indiana is notable for lots of other reasons, too: A federal judge rejected a plea agreement for repeat bestiality offender Michael Bessigano in Hammond federal court Tuesday, saying Bessigano's case doesn't justify a sentence below federal guidelines. Judge Philip Simon said the confidential report from probation agents recommended a sentencing range between 33 and 41 months in prison for the Hobart man's conviction of downloading bestiality pornography. Discussion in court indicated that, under the plea agreement between defense lawyer John E. Martin and Assistant U...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on April 29, 2009 (boomark / email).