Q: Is there a chance based on this case the amount of years could be reduced
I know it’s aiding and abetting but her intention wasn’t for the man to be killed she was looking for her sister and one of the people also looking made the decision to commit murder without being encouraged to do so. She has no criminal history and is not the kind of person that should be locked up for the amount of time she’s expected to serve. I was just hoping there’s some way to get an earlier release at least like 2025 to 2030
A: How do you already know what sentence she will receive? If she agreed as part of her plea to a specific sentence, then she cannot challenge the length of that sentence on appeal. If she did not agree, then she can appeal to the higher court and ask them to reduce it, however, they can only reduce the short end of the sentencing range of the sentence given. The high end/maximum will remain as a potential deterrent from the offender misbehaving while in prison. If they behave, they will be released when the shorter end of the sentence arrives.
A:
If your friend's intent was to aid or abet any criminal action, she is just as liable as the shooter for whatever happened. The classic example is a convenience store robbery: everyone is on the same page about the robbery, one person goes in and gets into it for whatever reason, and the clerk or someone else gets killed; everyone is liable for that murder - even the person sitting outside in the get-away car.
If your friend has not already entered a plea, her best bet would be to speak now or forever hold her piece. Yes, she's going to need to name names and not play dumb about what happened and what she knew. "Those who squeal get the deals". Someone else involved will or already has talked, and your friend doesn't need to be the one holding the bag if she can help it.
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