Post by WaTcHeR on May 25, 2006 13:51:20 GMT -5
05.25.2006 - LOUISBURG) - There is a new development in the case of a former sheriff's deputy charged with involuntary manslaughter. The Franklin County District Attorney’s office has offered Ben Barrick a plea deal.
A grand jury indicted the man after he was the pilot of a helicopter that crashed killing another deputy in 2004.
The district attorney’s office said Barrick was an unlicensed and uncertified helicopter pilot when his helicopter went down, killing fellow Deputy Ted Horton.
Barrick appeared without a lawyer, but Assistant District Attorney Annette Sellars handed over hundreds of pages from a State Bureau of Investigation report on Barrick and the crash.
That however was not the only thing on the table.
We gave him a plea offer,” Sellars said.
Barrick entered a plea of not guilty for his involuntary manslaughter charge, but Sellars said if Barrick accepts the deal, it will be up the judge to determine how much time he spends in prison.
“It will be moved to June case management setting, and we will see whether or not he has an attorney. Eventually it could move to a trial calendar,” Sellars added.
The plea deal is just a new development in a continuing saga in Franklin County. The helicopter crash is being blamed for causing the incumbent sheriff to lose in the past election.
Sheriff Jerry Jones said he wasn't at fault, but he has been criticized for not checking Barrick's credentials.
Now Deputy Ted Horton’s widow, Ann Greene, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
“Ann Greene just wants the truth. It's that simple,” said Green’s attorney, James Crouse.
Crouse said he believes there was a cover up that began shortly after the crash. The lawsuit involves the sheriff, Barrick and the company that may have owned the aircraft.
“This is a wholesale attempt to bring everyone together so we can get this thing resolved,” said Crouse.
While the lawsuit is a civil matter, it's a criminal charge Barrick is facing right now as he decides on Wednesday’s plea deal.
Barrick has until June 26 to decide if he wants to take that plea deal. As for that civil lawsuit, it could be a few months before a trial date is set.
A grand jury indicted the man after he was the pilot of a helicopter that crashed killing another deputy in 2004.
The district attorney’s office said Barrick was an unlicensed and uncertified helicopter pilot when his helicopter went down, killing fellow Deputy Ted Horton.
Barrick appeared without a lawyer, but Assistant District Attorney Annette Sellars handed over hundreds of pages from a State Bureau of Investigation report on Barrick and the crash.
That however was not the only thing on the table.
We gave him a plea offer,” Sellars said.
Barrick entered a plea of not guilty for his involuntary manslaughter charge, but Sellars said if Barrick accepts the deal, it will be up the judge to determine how much time he spends in prison.
“It will be moved to June case management setting, and we will see whether or not he has an attorney. Eventually it could move to a trial calendar,” Sellars added.
The plea deal is just a new development in a continuing saga in Franklin County. The helicopter crash is being blamed for causing the incumbent sheriff to lose in the past election.
Sheriff Jerry Jones said he wasn't at fault, but he has been criticized for not checking Barrick's credentials.
Now Deputy Ted Horton’s widow, Ann Greene, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
“Ann Greene just wants the truth. It's that simple,” said Green’s attorney, James Crouse.
Crouse said he believes there was a cover up that began shortly after the crash. The lawsuit involves the sheriff, Barrick and the company that may have owned the aircraft.
“This is a wholesale attempt to bring everyone together so we can get this thing resolved,” said Crouse.
While the lawsuit is a civil matter, it's a criminal charge Barrick is facing right now as he decides on Wednesday’s plea deal.
Barrick has until June 26 to decide if he wants to take that plea deal. As for that civil lawsuit, it could be a few months before a trial date is set.