Facing any criminal charge can be frightening, and the stakes are high when facing charges such as rape or murder. A strong criminal defense is essential to protecting the future, whether that involves seeking a dismissal of the charges or working with prosecutors on a plea deal that reduces charges for lesser sentencing.
One man in Minnesota was charged with the murder of another man. Authorities originally alleged that the 47-year-old man murdered another man with a machete. The incident allegedly occurred two years ago, and the man was scheduled to appear in a trial in mid July.
According to reports, the defense made a motion to suppress some statements that the man made to authorities following his arrest. The Judge granted that motion, which limited the amount of information prosecutors would be able to present in court. A prosecuting attorney on the case said the motion and judge’s decision required a reevaluation of the case.
Prosecutors also noted that a key witness in the matter had been deported since the incident. Because prosecutors no longer felt they could make a case against the man, the murder charges were dismissed.
According to reports, the 47-year-old man never confessed to the murder and did not make what the police called “incriminating statements” during two interviews. The man did admit that a machete, which police believed was the murder weapon, belonged to him. Police also say a witness put the 47-year-old man at the crime scene on the morning the murder allegedly occurred.
No matter what evidence is presented against a person, a criminal defense can work to reduce the effectiveness of evidence, dispute allegations or propose facts that favor the defendant. Without a defense, for example, the man in this case might not have benefited from the motion to dismiss statements.
Source: The Joplin Globe, “Charge dismissed in Carthage murder case”, Jeff Lehr, July 7, 2014
