Article: Plea Bargain in Virginia `Real Problem' for Judge; Deal Offered Va. Teen in Slaying of Janitor

A Loudoun County judge said yesterday that he had "a real problem" with a proposed plea agreement under which a 17-year-old Leesburg youth accused of killing a female acquaintance last summer would receive a maximum of 22 years in prison.

Circuit Court Judge Thomas D. Horne recalled sentencing another Loudoun teenager last year to life plus 50 years in prison for a robbery-murder and asked the prosecutor and defense attorney why Aaron Edward Hallman should get off so much easier.

The judge said he would rule on July 22 whether to accept the second-degree murder plea. If not, Hallman must ask another judge to review the agreement or stand trial on a first-degree murder charge.

Hallman ...

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