Spoke to a family member---very long term AUSA who lives in another state. When I said the perp had a written plan, he was stunned that they did a plea agreement. Of course, he doesn't know all the details, but this sounds like another Descano mess.

Descano needs to go. He never should have been elected.

Anonymous wrote:A plea agreement is basically a settlement -- very hard for the judge to second-guess an agreement that is agreed to by both sides. You should be mad at the prosecutors who agreed to the settlement.

"The ruling followed a plea agreement reached between defense attorneys and prosecutors after clinicians from both sides determined Danehower was legally insane at the time of the killing."

Seems like the psych experts created an impossible situation to get a conviction. I’m curious about what the facts were to make them believe he was legally insane at the time of the killing. I mean of course you have to be some level of crazy to do this, but why did 2 doctors find him insane in the legal sense?

I am hoping at the least their findings hold up so that he is detained in a psychiatric facility for a very long time (ideally life). If he had been stalking the wife for a long time, then his insanity must be a fairly permanent feature and I don’t see how he could ever be safe for release.

This is such a tragic case.

This is a total travesty of justice. Blame Steve Descano.
And a judge can reject a plea deal.
This one absolutely should have been rejected.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A plea agreement is basically a settlement -- very hard for the judge to second-guess an agreement that is agreed to by both sides. You should be mad at the prosecutors who agreed to the settlement.

"The ruling followed a plea agreement reached between defense attorneys and prosecutors after clinicians from both sides determined Danehower was legally insane at the time of the killing."

+1. I've never heard of this case and obviously it is awful, but our system incentivizes plea deals. It saves money and time overall, but if you read the allegations in any given case of course you want to throw the book at them. Unfortunately that's just a very expensive way to run a justice system in a country that gaf about due process and human rights.

We might not be that country for much longer though, so the throughline from "horrific allegation" to "public execution" will probably tighten up.

Not agreeing to this one plea deal would not change the fiscal year budget. Might cost the prosecutor more time. Who has not worked free overtime this year? (actually, time for me to get back to work).

This is typical for Fairfax County culture. Do the next easiest thing. That's Fairfax County.

Anonymous wrote:A plea agreement is basically a settlement -- very hard for the judge to second-guess an agreement that is agreed to by both sides. You should be mad at the prosecutors who agreed to the settlement.

"The ruling followed a plea agreement reached between defense attorneys and prosecutors after clinicians from both sides determined Danehower was legally insane at the time of the killing."

+1. I've never heard of this case and obviously it is awful, but our system incentivizes plea deals. It saves money and time overall, but if you read the allegations in any given case of course you want to throw the book at them. Unfortunately that's just a very expensive way to run a justice system in a country that gaf about due process and human rights.

We might not be that country for much longer though, so the throughline from "horrific allegation" to "public execution" will probably tighten up.

I cried. His poor wife and kids. My husband knew him. He was a special man. The killer was obsessed with his wife. A homicidal stalker. How will she ever feel safe now?

How safe are we in our beds in Fairfax County? An ex is free to just stalk us, break into our home at night, walk into our bedroom, murder our spouse, and this is it?

Where was Steve Descano? We need a better Commonwealth's Attorney for our county.

A plea agreement is basically a settlement -- very hard for the judge to second-guess an agreement that is agreed to by both sides. You should be mad at the prosecutors who agreed to the settlement.

"The ruling followed a plea agreement reached between defense attorneys and prosecutors after clinicians from both sides determined Danehower was legally insane at the time of the killing."

I admit I didn’t know much about this case, but it’s really disturbing that this guy was allowed to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

He stalked the wife after having gone on a date with her ten years earlier, then killed her husband as he slept in his bed next to her, with their young children in the home. It was pre-meditated murder.

The victim sounds like an amazing person. I’m horrified for his wife that this plea was accepted by the judge today. How will she ever feel safe again? I’d bet dollars to donuts the guy will be released in a few years. It’s absolutely sickening.

I found this video on the victim. Such a loss for his family and the larger community.