Prosecutors have been in plea discussions with Ronald Page since at least November 2012, but Friday, Page turned down a second plea offer. Page is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and three firearm possession charges in connection with the death of his step-son, 22-year-old Nicholas Ray Satcher.
“I’m not going to accept [the plea offer],” Page said, adding that it was, “solely my decision.”
The revised offer would have come with a 48 month sentence. The deal was offered in the hope that the victim’s family would not be subject to further hardship said the prosecution.
Page is accused of shooting his step-son on January 5, 2011, when Satcher intervened in a fight between Page and his biological son Adrian Page. Ronald Page claims that he planned to shoot at the ceiling, but faltered when the boys lunged at him.
With no plea agreement, the case will move forward to a trial. The prosecution promised a “fairly quick” trial of three to four days with no more than ten witnesses. The defense expressed their intent to call two or three witnesses.
Since his preliminary hearing in January 2011, Page has been under high-intensity supervision. As a condition of his release, Page cannot be near his home, nor can he have contact with his wife or sons.
A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for May 17th at 10:30 a.m..
