Merlino charges dropped

[Hailbritain]

I've heard that all charges have been dropped against Joey merlino , has anyone else heard this . It's not common knowledge or been released yet

[Snakes]

Source?

[Rocco]

Nothing posted in the news as of yet. He had his lawyer request all charges dropped in June. It was denied and a trial date for Jan was set. I guess they figure they have nothing to loose but tax payer money by taking him to court. And if they can find him guilty even on a minor felony they judge can throw the book at him and give him another 13yrs because he is a repeat offender. That is the risk that Merlino faces. Either he doesn't realize that or he is just a gambler. Just one minor felony charge will send him away for a decade.

[TommyGambino]

Feds must fucking hate him

[SonnyBlackstein]

And if they can find him guilty even on a minor felony they judge can throw the book at him and give him another 13yrs because he is a repeat offender. That is the risk that Merlino faces. Either he doesn't realize that or he is just a gambler. Just one minor felony charge will send him away for a decade.

Exactly.

And if he's found guilty of a serious charge, its effectively life.
And he couldve plead out to 2 years (IIRC).


What a fucking stupid gamble.

[Chucky]

Given what has come out about the FBI's handling of Rubeo, it doesn't seem like much of a gamble. I doubt Jacobs and Meringolo would pursue a trial if they didn't think they were going to get an acquittal. Not to mention, the guys who have been covering this case since it began (Anastasia, Capeci, and Schratwieser) have been saying it stinks for quite some time.

[Frank]

Maybe if things go a little bad during trial they will accept a plea.

[moneyman]

If Merlino pleads guilty to illegal gambling in exchange for a reduced sentence, the feds can recharge him in Florida or New Jersey where some of the illegal sports betting allegedly occurred (If I recall correctly the initial Florida and NJ gambling charges were dropped)

This is according to this NY Post article, http://nypost.com/2017/06/06/accused-ph ... g-charges/

I'm hoping for a trial so we can get more info on these guys.

[JerryB]

I find no such dismissal in the court (Case #1:16-cr-00522-RJS-2) docket. Last docket entry was on Sept. 11th.

[moneyman]

I find no such dismissal in the court (Case #1:16-cr-00522-RJS-2) docket. Last docket entry was on Sept. 11th.

Thanks, I'm not sure what the article is referring to then. I'm assuming there must be a pending case or something to that effect.

[Rocco]

And if they can find him guilty even on a minor felony they judge can throw the book at him and give him another 13yrs because he is a repeat offender. That is the risk that Merlino faces. Either he doesn't realize that or he is just a gambler. Just one minor felony charge will send him away for a decade.

Exactly.

And if he's found guilty of a serious charge, its effectively life.
And he couldve plead out to 2 years (IIRC).


What a fucking stupid gamble.

well he is no rocket scientist. Lucky yes.. Smart...ahh no...

[Rocco]

If Merlino pleads guilty to illegal gambling in exchange for a reduced sentence, the feds can recharge him in Florida or New Jersey where some of the illegal sports betting allegedly occurred (If I recall correctly the initial Florida and NJ gambling charges were dropped)

This is according to this NY Post article, http://nypost.com/2017/06/06/accused-ph ... g-charges/

I'm hoping for a trial so we can get more info on these guys.

Illegal Gambling is a felony. If he goes down just for the gambling charge they will hit him with the max. That's all the feds really want. A conviction of any kind so they can put him away for at least 5-8 yrs for gambling. They just want something to stick.

[SonnyBlackstein]

If Merlino pleads guilty to illegal gambling in exchange for a reduced sentence, the feds can recharge him in Florida or New Jersey....


I'm hoping for a trial so we can get more info on these guys.

1. Isn't that double jeopardy?
2. Amen I hope it goes to trial. Would love a nice glossy, shiny, sparkly fed chart of the current Philly admin structure.

[SonnyBlackstein]

What's the deal with pleas? Are they void when trial starts? Or is the offer good until the verdict?

[Snakes]

Most are pulled once the trial begins but if, for whatever reason, it's still on the table it can be accepted.