Suspected Killer Accepts Plea Deal
Language barriers, translators, and the wishes of the victims were all part in bringing last November's drive-by shooting and killing in east Columbus to an apparent conclusion. 22 year-old Moises Osario agreed to a plea deal late Monday afternoon in Bartholomew Circuit Court that would put him behind bars for 67 years. Prosecutor Bill Nash had initially planned seeking life without parole for Osorio. Nash and Defense attorneys came to an agreement that Nash says would force Osario to be punished for each of his victims. "There is no free shot, no free victim" said Nash. Under the agreement, Osorio would receive 55 years for killing Roberto Flores, then another three 4-year sentences that would be tacked on to the initial 55 years. Nash added that the maximum sentence for Murder is 65 years, and the guarantee of a sentence longer than that was too good for him, and the families, to pass up with no risk of a trial.

The plea deal is not yet official and could still be tossed out by Judge Stephen Heimann, though it is not expected. Osorio's sentencing is set for Tuesday, September 15 at 8:30 a.m. Osorio, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation at the conclusion of his sentence.

Last Updated: Monday, August 10, 2009 9:24:47 PM

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