Chapter 23 - SHANE’S PLEA DECISIONThe criminal case against Shane was strong.
Not flawless.
Charges involved:
Kidnapping/unlawful confinement theories.
Aggravated assault-related conduct.
Evidence tampering.
False reporting/staging of the disappearance.
Financial offenses tied to provable unauthorized company use.
The prosecution did not charge attempted murder.
Evidence showed Shane brought water and intended release.
That did not excuse the risk.
It informed intent.
His lawyer fought the financial counts aggressively because Walker Brothers’ informal accounting blurred ownership and authorization.
Some were reduced or dismissed.
The physical confinement counts were different.
Chain.
Crawlspace.
Ben’s testimony.
Voicemail.
Staged truck.
GPS.
Shane eventually entered a negotiated plea to the principal kidnapping/unlawful-restraint and assault-related offenses, plus evidence-tampering conduct.
The financial case resolved through a narrower theft/fraud count and restitution.
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No trial requiring Lila to testify.
That mattered to Ben.
