I hate to say "I told you so" but .... .
I've always viewed the State prosecution of MIchael McGee Jr. to be sideshow of sorts. That's not to suggest that the charges against McGee aren't serious - they are. I also do not mean to imply that the Milwaukee County DA's Office should not have brought the charges in the first place. They should have - and they deserve credit for doing so!
The point though is that, in my mind, McGee's problems in State court have always paled in comparison to his problems in Federal Court.
After the McGee's State trial got sidetracked last May, I wrote " ... if there is a conviction in Federal court, I wouldn't be surprised to see any State charges against McGee resolved short of trial." I repeated that sentiment in late June after McGee was found guilty in Federal court.
Candidly, it made no sense to me for either side to be unreasonable as to the State charges if McGee was going to be the guest of the Federal government for a substantial period of time.
As some of you were quick to point out, I admit that I went somewhat out on a limb with my prediction. After all, the attorneys for McGee were insisting that the State trial would proceed regardless of what happened with the Federal prosecution.
This afternoon, Today's TMJ 4 is reporting that a deal has in fact been reached between the parties on the State charges. The local newspaper says the same thing and indicates that any deal will involve McGee pleading guilty (or no contest) to one felony and one misdemeanor. My guess is that any resolution will also include a recommendation that any State sentence be allowed to operate concurrent with his Federal sentence. If this is the case, it would mean that McGee wouldn't serve extra time as a result of any State conviction.
Many people think McGee's 6 1/2 year Federal sentence was a bit light. I'm not one of them. 6 1/2 years behind bars without possibility of parole is a long time (even with credit for time served). If McGee is willing to admit his guilt as to some or all of the State charges against him, I don't think there's anything wrong with wrapping everything up in one package.
The real point is that the saga of Michael McGee Jr. appears to be - finally - coming to a close. And not a moment too soon.
Oh yeah, I told you so.
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