For having the balls to plead not guilty to escape charges.

Prosecutor: Isn't it true that you were captured outside of prison?

Bank Robber: .......No.


Bank robber in jailbreak pleads not guilty to escape

One of two bank robbers who broke out of the downtown federal jail last month by rappelling down the side of the high-rise on bed sheets pleaded not guilty this morning to federal escape charges.

Conley, who appeared in federal court in a wheelchair for the second straight court appearance, faces up to five years in prison if he is convicted of the escape from the Metropolitan Correctional Center. He also faces sentencing for a previous bank robbery conviction.

Conley was caught in the south suburbs 18 days after the brazen escape. His alleged cohort, Joseph Banks, was apprehended on the North Side not quite three days after their early morning getaway.

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Doesn't everyone just plead not guilty?

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Maybe the board lawyers can clarify this but if convicted of the escape charge after pleading not guilty the sentencing is more severe. Though this dude might feel he's got nothing to lose anyways.

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Charges were dropped against the other dude.

If you plead guilty right away, you're probably going to get the max. The prosecutor doesn't want to go to trial so they will offer some sort of plea bargain with a less severe penalty. This is pretty much standard in all cases. Don't you watch Law and Order?

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If you are going to break out of prison and retreat to the south side at least do it during Sox season so you can blend in with the crowd.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

How exactly can you blend into a crowd that has nobody in it?

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In a better system, the opposite should occur. In obvious cases where guilt is not in question, a lighter sentence should be given to someone who admits guilt upfront and shows remorse. Why reward someone for being a lying douche?

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I'm not saying this is a good thing. I'm just stating this is what happens. I'm not really sure why people are shocked or outraged by a not guilty plea.

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My experience is that someone who pleads guilty at arraignment gets approximately the same sentence as someone who pleads guilty at any stage pre-conviction at least in federal court. There are strategic reasons for doing one or the other.

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Fire Phil Emery