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by ouchy 4120 days ago
IANAL, but as I understand it he still had options, though (trial by jury, for example).
3 comments

93% Federal conviction rate and a trial by jury would have been extremely expensive.

Source: http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao/legacy/2011/...

It is effectively a crime to demand a trial by jury. I say effectively because of how much harsher a sentence you'll receive if you lose compare to the plea bargain you are offered (the very reason for this is to force individuals to take a plea deal).
He had run out of funds (~$2MM) by that point.