"Taylor hearing takes place today" Court to offer Taylor lesser sentence

[BigSKINBauer]

http://washingtontimes.com/sports/20...4135-7019r.htm

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor will have a better idea of what to expect in his upcoming trial by lunchtime today.
Taylor and co-defendant Charles Caughman both will be in court today in Miami for hearings on felony assault charges stemming from a June 1 incident. Taylor purportedly pointed a gun at three men whom the safety claimed had stolen two of his all-terrain vehicles. Caughman purportedly threatened them with a baseball bat.
Caughman's attorney, Evan Hoffman, was granted a one-day extension of his hearing until today "to give us more time to make the ultimate decision" about accepting the state's plea bargain or going to trial. Hoffman would not disclose the terms of the state's offer.
According to the state attorney's office, Caughman, who faces no minimum sentence but a maximum of 15 years if convicted, has had his trial date moved from Aug. 22 to Oct. 3.
Taylor's attorney, Edward Carhart, doesn't believe Caughman will agree to testify against his client.
"Since Mr. Caughman said in a taped statement he gave to the police that no one had any weapons of any kind that night, he would have to do a 180 to accept the plea bargain," Carhart said.
While Caughman is appearing before Judge Peter Adrien this morning, Taylor will be in front of Judge Mary Barzee.
"The state will offer Sean a lesser sentence than the three-year mandatory minimum [Taylor faces if convicted], and I believe that he will turn it down and we'll proceed to trial," Carhart said.
Taylor's trial is scheduled for Sept. 12, the day after the Redskins open the season at home against the Chicago Bears. The maximum sentence on Taylor's felony charge is 16 years. He also has been charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor.