A defendant is charged with stabbing his girlfriend multiple times. She died as a result of the stabbing. The defendant confessed to the crime. There is additional evidence that the defendant committed the crime. In this jurisdiction, the range of punishment includes life with the possibility of parole, life without the possibility of parole, and the death penalty.

 The defendant is a young man with a clean record and good character witnesses. In this jurisdiction if there is no plea agreement, a judge or jury decides the sentence. There is one additional fact that may impact a plea agreement and sentencing. The defendant and girlfriend had a child together. In fact, their infant was in a playpen in another room as the defendant assaulted and stabbed to death the victim. The child was not hurt and was found in the playpen. The defendant fled the apartment. The victim's mom is out of the picture. The victim's dad urged against the death penalty because his family and the defendant's family would be involved in raising the child. He was fearful the death penalty would impact this relationship and the long-term relationship with his granddaughter. 

Discuss and describe the possible

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In this case the defendant is charged with murder which is a serious crime with a wide range of pote... View the full answer