Mann invites public to trial (03/08/08)

To the editor:

My name is Shane Slagle. I'm from a little place called Bellefontaine, Ohio. I've been incarcerated in the Jay County Jail since Sept. 29, 2007, for armed robbery.

Another man and I drove here to Jay County very early on a Saturday morning. I was driving my car, which was a 1992 Grand Marquis. It was legally mine. Bought and paid for. My name is on the registration and title.

On my way back towards Ohio we were pulled over by a Jay County Sheriff's Deputy, placed into custody, and placed into the jail, where we were both charged for armed robbery.

The passenger in my vehicle has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.

I'm still awaiting trail, which is scheduled to begin March 19. I'm going to trial for armed robbery. I'm being charged for knowingly or intentionally aiding and abetting a crime to be committed.

I've been sitting here waiting for Lady Justice. I've been offered deals by the prosecutor but have turned them down. Now I'm getting scared as the trial date gets closer. To try to prove my innocence that I'm entitled to by the court of law, I take the chance of being found guilty and facing 20 years in prison.

It feels like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

My trial starts March 19 at 8:30 a.m. I invite the public to be there to see how our good system of the United States works. Hope you make it.

Thanks for reading.

Shane Slagle

Jay County Jail[[In-content Ad]]