State vs. H.B. (Felonious Assault, Tampering With Evidence)
H.B. was charged with shooting an individual after a street altercation. H.B. was facing the possibility of 14 years in prison if convicted. At trial, the defense strenuously challenged the claims made by the alleged victim that he was unarmed. The testimony exposed a weak police investigation, which caused the jurors to rely heavily on witness testimony. The defendant never denied shooting the gun, however the cases hinged on his self-defense claim. Prior to submitting the case to the jury, the prosecution made the very favorable offer of allowing the defendant to plead guilty to merely the charge of Tampering with Evidence, and he received a 6-month jail sentence. The more serious charge of Felonious Assault with a gun was dismissed.
