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Several defendants reject plea offers; judge sets multiple cases for trial and explains pretrial process
Summary
Multiple defendants, including Jonah Johnson and others, rejected plea offers on a docket call; the judge set the cases on the trial docket, described pretrial scheduling and the pretrial week procedure, and warned plea deals already turned down are unlikely to be accepted absent new evidence.
At docket call the court addressed multiple defendants who rejected plea agreements and directed that several cases be placed on the trial docket. The judge told defendants and counsel that, unless new evidence appears, plea offers previously turned down will generally not be accepted after today and explained how the court’s pretrial scheduling works.
"So after today, I will not accept this plea agreement," the judge said when speaking about one defendant’s written plea-bargain rejection; the court scheduled pretrial review the week before the trial date to determine readiness and case order. The judge described typical trial-docket size (about eight cases) and directed counsel to file any motions that require more time, so the court can schedule hearings well before jury selection.
The courtroom discussion included explicit reminders to supply discovery and video evidence requests; the judge instructed counsel to file suppression or other evidentiary motions promptly so those hearings can be set well in advance of trial. For defendants seeking new appointed counsel the court said it would appoint alternate counsel who would begin trial preparation.
