Castro trial set for May 7

Flag Man · February 24, 2004

Joe Capozzi, PB Post, today reports that last Friday a May 7 trial date was set for Ramon Castro. "Beinfest said the team was confident the legal proceedings would not interfere with Castro's season."

hot4beckett · February 24, 2004

I hope not. We need him.

miami15 · February 24, 2004

in the herald it says May 3.

MarlinsFanatic · February 24, 2004

FOlks, this is NOT good. As an attorney, I can tell you that the Marlins had better have a back-up plan here. If he is acquited, there is not problem...but if he happens to be convicted on the rape charge, he will NOT be released pending any appeal. That just won't happen.

I hope they have another catcher to back up Redmond. Are there any still available on the FA market?

Who was the catcher last year for the Isotopes? Is he ready?

g8trz2003 · February 24, 2004

Chillsky, Fanatic. It'll work out. Redmond is capable of filling in, Mordecai can catch, and we have whats-his-face in Albequerque.

Marlins2003 · February 24, 2004

Matt Treanor is the name you're looking for. He would be a capable backup to Redmond (at least in my opinion).

Flag Man · February 24, 2004

Josh Willingham would be considered along with Matt Treanor.

I don't think it will come to that. Marlin money (defense counsel or otherwise) should take care of her.

MarlinsFanatic · February 24, 2004

I think you guys are a bit cavalier about this. Redmond, IMO, is not an everyday catcher. Castro can be, but not from prison in Pennsylvania.

Money, Marlin or otherwise, has nothing to do with it.

reclusedx · February 24, 2004

..then what happened with Kobe Bryant? How is his situation with the court different than Castro because Kobe is still playing.

MarlinsFanatic · February 24, 2004

..then what happened with Kobe Bryant? How is his situation with the court different than Castro because Kobe is still playing.

Kobe has not been tried yet -- Castro (now) like Kobe (now) is free on bond pending trial. My point is that if Castro is convicted at trial in May on the rape charge, they will not let him remain free pending appeal. He will go to jail.

g8trz2003 · February 24, 2004

obviously the Marlins have confidence that Castro will be not guilty. If they were really afraid, then they would have gone after some other catcher (big name or no).

RossInfoMan · February 24, 2004

Whether its right or not, it seems that trials for athletes seemed to be moved a lot, especially when they fall during the season. I don't know how far this could be delayed, after the season seems like an awfully long delay, but Castro's lawyer said the date was "soft", meaning it could be moved.

MarlinsFanatic · February 24, 2004

obviously the Marlins have confidence that Castro will be not guilty. If they were really afraid, then they would have gone after some other catcher (big name or no).

Folks -- juries do strange things! The only thing that is certain is that Admin Beinfest, David Sampson, and Jeffrey Loria will not be on the jury.

g8trz2003 · February 24, 2004

Like I said, they must be confident in Castro's chances. I'm sure if he DID get convicted, Beinfest and co. wouldn't be like "well sh*t! We have no backup plan! Who knew this was gonna happen!"

They've got a backup plan, I'm sure. It's an obvious problem, and no general manager in baseball would ignore it.

marlins24 · February 24, 2004

I hope they have another catcher to back up Redmond. Are there any still available on the FA market?

Mordeci is the third catcher.

JBurque · February 24, 2004

Hope I'm not pulling this out of my arse but I thought I heard somewhere (?) that there was Video surveillance that "vindicates" RC. It was just a blurb I saw somewhere but it was from his defense who were speaking quite confidently. No link or nothing, I just remember hearing it.

Wild Card · February 24, 2004

I hope they have another catcher to back up Redmond. Are there any still available on the FA market?

Mordeci is the third catcher. On the 25-man roster, at least. If this went through and he was charged/convicted, Willingham would probably be moved up and would platoon with Redmond until he can prove he can hit ML pitching.

BUT, that's if. Ramon is innocent until proven guilty and if his lawyer is confident this won't even go to trial, so am I.

Marlins2003 · February 24, 2004

obviously the Marlins have confidence that Castro will be not guilty. If they were really afraid, then they would have gone after some other catcher (big name or no).

Folks -- juries do strange things! The only thing that is certain is that Admin Beinfest, David Sampson, and Jeffrey Loria will not be on the jury.

I don't know that a jury will neccessarily hear this case, the defendant (Castro) may decide to waive his right to a jury trial and have heard by a judge, which in most states is his option.

MarlinsFanatic · February 24, 2004

True, but not a good option.

If he has a strong case, a jury will not convict him. If he has a so-so case, I would not try before a judge. I would force the prosecution to convince more that one person beyond a reasonable doubt.

Also, trying criminal matters to a judge is not very smart. There is no chance of a hung jury if tried to a judge rather than a jury. Also, if convicted by a judge rather than a jury, the conviction would never get overturned. Many arguments on appeal go away if it was a bench trial instead of a jury trial.

AJBurnett34 · February 24, 2004