At least two of these individuals are going to go to prison for a long time and we're hoping the remaining two defendants will be held responsible and get their just desserts as well. |
I think maybe that was the final straw that made her realize that the Commonwealth was going to be able to prove the case and to act in her best interest was to take some responsibility and be willing to testify against any codefendants. |
If she had not been willing to take some responsibility, we feel confident she could be held criminally responsible for the sexual assaults as well, even if not directly related to it. |
The family's resolve to see this case to its conclusion has not been diminished by today's proceedings. |
Twenty-three years is a long time. Ms. Burwell will be out of circulation until her mid-60s. Under all the circumstances I'm very pleased. |
We're going to work under the assumption that we're going to trial on both of them. |
With those two lining up against Ms. Burwell, I think we were able to develop a pretty strong case. That allowed us to force her to come in and take responsibility. We'll take their cooperation in bringing Ms. Burwell to justice when they are finally sentenced. |
Would I love every person in this crime to receive life in the penitentiary? Absolutely. But we have had to work with the first two defendants to be able to achieve even charging Ms. Burwell. |