[Waterluvian]

I wonder if a valid option could have been to plea guilty and throw himself at the mercy of the court to receive a lesser sentence.

[jowea]

Does that work? I mean, he could plea guilty just to save some lawyer expense for his parents but I don't think he had a better choice than going for a hail mary.

[jki275]

I think you actually do get credit for pleading guilty in the sentencing guidelines.