With the District Attorney’s office still marking time over whether it will make a plea bargain offer to the accused Fire Station killer Myron DeShun Grant, this morning’s abbreviated hearing in Superior Court merely was a bookkeeping notation.
Judge Antonio Barretto Jr. ordered the parties to return on Thursday, Jan. 26, lurching a potential trial date forward to mid-March — if there is to be a trial.
A year and a half after being charged with the Fire Station construction site slaying of City Hall consultant Paul Bilodeau, Jan. 2, 2009, Mr. Grant presently is facing 50 years to life, if convicted. He is charged with first-degree murder and robbery.
Earlier in the autumn, prosecutors dropped any pursuit of a death penalty.
“In every case, the prosecution can look at the evidence and a host of factors,” said public defender Robert Conley, “and determine if they want to make an offer.
“I don’t know that the prosecution is going to make an offer. They are considering it.
“An offer could be for less time than Mr. Grant is facing, but it still could be substantial.”
In the next six weeks, Deputy D.A.’s Keri Modder and Heather Steggell and their supervisors will meet with investigating officers to determine their course.
“If there is an offer, we will need some time digest it and determine whether we want any part of it,” Mr. Conley said.
“The truth is, if this matter goes to trial, it will be March.”
