PLEA BARGAINING The defendant’s lawyer attempted plea bargaining with the prosecution due to the excessive evidence against his case and implored Wilson to plead guilty to robbery, breaking and entering, and trespassing in exchange for the prosecution not charging him with murder or assault and battery. However, Wilson was indignant in keeping with his account of the incident and continued to plead not guilty.
ARRAIGNMENT After the indictment by the grand jury, Judge Brown recited the formal charges to the courtroom and asked the defendant how he pleaded. Wilson could plead guilty and be immediately sentenced. He could plead nolo contendre, or no contest, where he indirectly pleads guilty, gives up his rights to a defense, and is immediately sentenced. Finally, he could plead not guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity and go to a trail. Wilson stood firm in his belief that his account of what happened was the truth and pleaded not guilty.