Bowe Bergdahl to be charged with desertion

[Adrift]

I wonder, then, why he would plead guilty as charged. And, again, I suspect some kind of deal has been arranged. Perhaps in sentencing.

I can imagine a number of reasons why he would plead that way. 1.) He knew from the start that he was going to get in trouble for what he was about to do. 2.) Despite his own intentions (which was to make it to the main base), he did end up technically deserting. There's not much worth in denying that. 3.) He's likely not left with many options but plead guilty. Certainly not many options that will make him look much better at any rate.

[Cow Poke]

According to the local rag, there was no deal arranged.

Interesting.

[Cow Poke]

I can imagine a number of reasons why he would plead that way. 1.) He knew from the start that he was going to get in trouble for what he was about to do. 2.) Despite his own intentions (which was to make it to the main base), he did end up technically deserting. There's not much worth in denying that. 3.) He's likely not left with many options but plead guilty. Certainly not many options that will make him look much better at any rate.

I've just been around enough courtrooms and legal proceedings* to know that, when a person pleads guilty to X in open court, there's usually XY or XYZ for which he could be charged. I'm not alleging that's so here, and OBP cites that there is no deal -- I guess it's just my curious nature.



*understanding, of course, that this is a military matter in which I have very little experience

[Sparko]

I've just been around enough courtrooms and legal proceedings* to know that, when a person pleads guilty to X in open court, there's usually XY or XYZ for which he could be charged. I'm not alleging that's so here, and OBP cites that there is no deal -- I guess it's just my curious nature.



*understanding, of course, that this is a military matter in which I have very little experience

He probably figures he will get a lighter sentence than if he fought the charges. He was going to be found guilty anyway.