In a stunning turn of events, Attorney Eric M. Matheny successfully secured a probation sentence for his client, a 40-year-old father of five, who had faced the possibility of two life sentences for a severe sex crime accusation.
Arrested over two and a half years ago, Matheny’s client had been held in jail without bond, awaiting trial for an alleged crime against an 8-year-old family member. The severity of the charges could have led to a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison. Despite the
daunting circumstances, the client chose to take his case to trial. Over the course of four intense days, the State presented compelling and emotional testimony from the now 11-year-old child, along with testimonies from numerous family members, child protective team investigators, and medical professionals. The evidence was heart-wrenching and painted a grim picture.
However, through meticulous and strategic cross-examination, Matheny was able to introduce doubt into the jurors’ minds about the veracity of the child’s testimony. This doubt proved pivotal, as the jury ultimately found themselves deadlocked and unable to reach a
unanimous decision.
Leveraging the jury’s deadlock, Matheny negotiated with the prosecution, resulting in a remarkable outcome. The prosecution agreed to allow the client to plead guilty to a lesser charge, sentencing him to probation with credit for time served. Consequently, Matheny’s client will be
released from jail, reuniting with his family after nearly 2.5 years of incarceration.
“This case was an incredibly challenging and emotional journey, but the deadlock provided an opportunity to achieve a just outcome for my client,” said Matheny. “I am grateful for the jury’s diligence and for the prosecution’s willingness to reach a resolution that serves
the interests of justice.”
For further information or additional statements, please contact the Law Offices of Eric M.Matheny.