As announced in this past Thursday's newspapers a deal was reached with the prosecution and J.C. Amato and his defense team. A troubled man with a fascination for guns Amato admitted to authorities that he shot and killed his wife in their Wellsville home the morning of July 1, 2007. Amato claimed it was in self defense, saying his wife shot at him.
According to Mary Ann Greier's newspaper report Amato plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of his wife Tonia. Special Prosecutor Lynn Grimshaw was quoted in that account saying the Prosecution will recommend an eight year sentence and a lifetime ban from ever owning another gun. If the judge accepts that recommendation at the scheduled March 5 sentencing date Amato will not be able to apply for judicial release or appeal the conviction per the deal made according to Greier's report. Amato has been held at the County Jail since September, 2008, following a second arrest for additional charges while being released on house arrest. The plea deal reached will cover all charges filed against Amato.
The March 5 sentencing will bring an end to two and half years of drama going back to the shooting. Will justice be served? Who on earth can say? There are some that will say no with comparison to the Eric Dillard case. Some will say Amato is privileged. However, they have to remember that Dillard turned down a similar deal.
We'll probably never know all the details of this tragic death. Even though we want to know everything maybe it wasn't meant to be. It will bring additional closure to the Brundage family. Tonia's parents were quoted in the papers saying "Nobody can make up for the loss of Tonia" but both Kathy and Rick said they forgave J.C. God bless them. We don't know if we could be as strong as that.
ole nib
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3 comments:
Wasn't it Grimshaws job to find out what happened? All I can say is JC Amato is one lucky SOB
From a student of the fine points of the law...
J.C. has been in jail for most of the 30 months that he has been awaiting trial... and that jail time will be credited against any sentence that he is given, and it is customary to credit it at 2 for 1. Meaning 2 days credit in prison for every day served in the county jail.
The prosecutor will recommend 5 years on the manslaughter charge and 3 years on the gun specification... That is where the 8 year number comes from.
My question is will the 5 and 8 be consecutive (one after the other) or concurrent (served at the same time)? If they are concurrent, he'll only have to serve a total of 5 years. With nearly 2-1/2 years of county jail time... (counted at 2 to 1 in state prison time) Sounds like J.C. could just about get off with time served.
Interesting point. Didn't know about the 2 for 1 custom. Unless you're a confidant of the Judge guess we'll have to wait until March 5 to find out.
nib
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