State of MO vs Beindorff Hearing Shoot Me Case

Judge Sweeney Rejects Bogus Plea Deal - Accordingly. Circuit Attys Office Forges Ahead, Same Deal- New Judge: Bryan Hettenbach.

~ Tomorrow, Tuesday May 7th, 2013 ~

Voice Your Outrage & Encourage StL Circuit Attys Office to SHOW ME Retributive Justice: STOP Offering Soft Plea Bargains to Armed Violent Killers!!

Circuit Atty Joyce (314) 622-4941 Judge Bryan Hettenbach (314) (314) 622-4381
While the NRA created obstructionist, corporatist blocking of background checks in D.C., that America was largely in favor of, the court system continues to victim blame & racially profile cases while offering soft plea bargains to (Caucasian) violent gun crime murderers. How can we stop this insanity if we cannot, firstly & foremost; hold violent killers accountable, regardless of their ethnicity or bank account status? Circuit Atty Joyce has failed to provide evidence that supports the defenses plea & entire basis for Beindorffs plea bargain; that Pellegrini asked to be shot. Repeated requests from the victims family & the community at large to please provide the evidence (supposedly) supporting the Circuit Attys entire basis for the plea offer have been summarily ignored. To further insult the victims family, the victims family advocate assigned by the State of MO, did state, it was up to Pellegrinis family to prove Matthew did not ask to be shot. Is it not the job of the circuit attys office to provide the burden of proof and supporting evidence for the basis of their plea deals? Where is the evidence that supports the claim Pellegrini actually requested death by gun? Yet- Circuit Attorney Joyce takes the sole testimony of an admitted killer as the basis for a largely intellectually insulting, ridiculously soft plea bargain, the type that threatens the safety of our entire community. This plea is based on the THIRD story given by Beindorff. The Beindorff Story Time Line: A. We came out of a bar and found Pellegrini face down, lying prostrate & shot on sidewalk. B. We were testing out my gun in my backyard, when Pellegrini was accidentally shot. C. We were sitting in my car when Pellegrini asked to be shot. (BINGO! Lets go with this one! C it is!) Items of Interest: 1. Only witness, a felon, & friend only to Beindorff, claims to not remember anything prior to the weapons discharge, has pled the 5th. He has not been charged with any crime(s) in this case. 2. Only witness & Beindorff disposed of the shell casings (i.e. evidence) while discussing throwing Pellegrinis body in the river. 3. Taking Pellegrini to the ER does not denote kindness on Beindorffs part. He & the witness planned on an ER drop & roll. Pellegrini was spotted as a gunshot victim by law enforcement that just happened to spot them as they entered the ER lot, the perpetrators were then detained. Their original plan? Drop Pellegrini off at the ER anonymously & keep on rolling. Only, they got caught, bloody red handed. The victims family and the community are appalled at the lack of evidence supporting the Shoot Me claim & resultant plea offer. Judge Sweeney made the right call when he REJECTED this dangerously soft plea. Circuit Atty Joyce & Pros Atty Melissa Gilliam made it clear they do not respect Judge Sweeneys decision, victim Pellegrini, the victims family & friends, and the community at large they have been elected to serve. They claim to believe in strict sentencing for violent gun crimes, and support MO Senate Bill 448: http://www.scribd.com/doc/136906103/Senate-Bill-448 Statement Circuit Attorney Joyce sent Daily RFT when asked for her take on the proposal, (http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2013/04/gun_docket_eric_schmitt_francis_slay.php): I support the creation of an Armed Offender Docket, a specialized trial division whose purpose would be to deliver a comprehensive and evidence-based judicial response to the chronic and unacceptably high incidence of gun violence in the City of St. Louis. Too many offenders use weapons to target their victims. This pattern of behavior must be stopped. The Circuit Attorney and Mayor's staff are working to identity and put in place resources to staff an Armed Offender Court should it pass the Legislature.

We, the community at large, demand Circuit Atty Joyce put her money where her mouth is; talk is cheap, actions speak louder. 3 years for armed criminal action with 7 years for involuntary manslaughter doesnt add up to ending this pattern of behavior (is it involuntary/accidental when you place a known loaded weapon to anothers temple and pull the trigger, intent to kill? 99.9% of those polled agree this is in no way involuntary). Many have come forward to offer evidence to suggest Pellegrini was in no way suicidal, yet Joyce, Gilliam, & Co. only wi sh to take the killers word. Apparently, the word of honest, law abiding citizens, who have repeatedly offered evidence to support Pellegrini wished to live his life fully, are willing to give formal, legal depositions: their words stand for nothing in the eyes of the Circuit Attys Plea Bargaining Bonanza, who wish to take into account only the killers version of events. How will Judge Hettenbach rule? Will he reject this completely bogus plea as well? Is Judge Sweeney the only brave judge willing DO THE RIGHT THING? Will Judge Hettenbach exercise jurisprudence or choose to mar his own record by accepting a scandalous plea the entire community is outraged over? A community mind you, that has found the arena of stricter sentencing as the only common ground on the gun violence debate? People who vote dont forget, we never forget. Victim advocacy, and the search for truth & justice: not just pretty, altruistic words, consider this a call to action. The Pellegrini family thanks you for your support, and advocates for victims rights worldwide.

Circuit Atty Joyce (314) 622-4941 Judge Bryan Heetenbach (314) (314) 622-4381
MORE INFO: Original Charges Here, 2nd Degree Murder: http://www.scribd.com/doc/139764507/Beindorff-ORIGINAL-Charges-prior-toplea Plea Agreement Given: http://www.scribd.com/doc/136185226/Plea-Agreement-Beindorff StL Circuit Court Judge Edward Sweeney REJECTS Plea, Upsets PROSECUTION & Circuit Attorneys Office: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-judge-makes-rare-decision-to-reject-pleadeal/article_212113e2-6a46-5ea0-ac79-a8173ffdf438.html And Here: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2013/04/jennifer_joyce_matthew_pellegrini_kevin_beindorff.php StL Circuit Atty Joyces Statement: http://www.scribd.com/doc/135603788/Jennifer-Joyce-statement