MovieChat Forums > Bernie (2012) Discussion > Back to the Big House for Bernie

Back to the Big House for Bernie

posted 9 years ago by Ed in MO
9 replies | jump to latest

The new jury in his case sentenced him to 99 years. Sad. Texas is a tough law-and-order state.

[–] lvince-33387 9 years ago

I read that on-line just now. I'm very surprised. I really thought he might get off with time served or a lesser sentence. Too harsh , IMO.

[–] rgibson-20 9 years ago

Too harsh? He shot an old woman 4 times in the back and stuffed her in a freezer.

[–] lvince-33387 9 years ago

Well that's MY opinion. I didn't say he should get off scot-free. Many people commit murder and don't get a life sentence. He had already served something like 17 years. I think he should have to go back to prison, but not for life.

[–] BugisStreetAnnie 9 years ago

I just heard this on our local news because he used to live here in Lake Charles, Louisiana years ago.

Do I drink because my dreams don't come true, or don't my dreams come true because I drink?

[–] lynda618 9 years ago

Possibly too high, but the crime certainly didn't merit a get-out-of-jail-free card to hang out with Linklater. Getting to be a buddy of a big director doesn't mitigate the crime in any way.

Just because Mrs. Nugent was an unpleasant, mean woman didn't give him the right to kill her. He could have walked away from that relationship at any time...except he didn't, because of the money. Anyone think the situation would have been different if she had been a POOR widow?

[–] lvince-33387 9 years ago

Well I agree with most of what you said. Certainly he should have served more time, but I don't agree with Life.

He didn't walk away because her money provided him with a lavish lifestyle which he would not otherwise have had. Even though she degraded and ridiculed him, the money still kept him around. And if she had been a pleasant, poor woman, he most likely would not have been working for her in the first place.
The irritations just kept snowballing over the years.
All the elements created a "perfect storm" which ended with him killing her.
His defense team thought he would get off with time served plus maybe 4 or 5 additional years.
Should the jury have been more lenient because of his childhood sexual abuse?
I don't know. But I think others have successfully used that defense to get lesser sentences.

[–] joel_zombie 9 years ago

I thought that you couldn't be convicted again for the same crime? (Double jeopardy ).

[–] d-03212 9 years ago

He was released on bond i think not cleared of the charges, so maybe the resentencing process is different than it would be regular

[–] rotomato 9 years ago

Double Jeopardy comes in to play only after an acquittal so has nothing to do with this case since Bernie was found guilty.

The re-trial was for the sentencing only. Defense attorneys tried to submit evidence that the original jury was biased and that Bernie's childhood abuse should be taken in to consideration as well as a claim that Bermie's original confession was coerced. None of this worked. Still, it's a good attempt and one that is afforded to anyone convicted of a crime.