SYRACUSE -- After a court appearance Friday afternoon, it appears a controversial plea deal for an accused sex offender may be off the table for now.
Judge John Brunetti set a trial date of March 8th for Howard Draper, but he also told both the prosecution and defense to report back to him on February 8th. Brunetti said he's "open to continue to discuss possible settlements."
Draper was indicted on two counts of sexual abuse first degree and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Though he could get up to seven years in prison, Judge Brunetti reportedly offered Draper a year in jail. The proposed plea deal so outraged the seven-year-old alleged victim's mother, she contacted Action News.
Reporter Jim Kenyon obtained a letter from the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office to Judge Brunetti opposing the proposed plea bargain. The letter also implies that the Judge has come up with a type of sentencing guideline for sex offenders based on previous unrelated cases. The D.A. says each case should be judged individually. The letter points out that after Draper was indicted for sexually abusing the seven year old, he was charged in November with sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.
Howard Draper said nothing as he left the courtroom, shielded from a news camera by a group of supporters.
The mother of the victim says she expects Draper will take the case to trial, which could mean her child will have to testify. She said, "Howard is going to torture my child as much as possible..."
