Italian shipwreck's captain wants plea deal

Lawyers for the captain on trial for the deadly shipwreck of the luxury cruise liner Costa Concordia are making a last-ditch attempt to reach a plea bargain in a case that could result in a long prison sentence.A White Bear Lake couple, Jerry and Barbara Heil, were among the 32 people who died after the vessel hit a jagged granite reef off the Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, and eventually capsized. 

Francesco Schettino's trial resumed Wednesday in Grosseto, Italy, after a week's suspension due to a nationwide lawyers' strike. He's the only defendant in the trial.One of his lawyers, Donato Laino, told reporters the defense would ask the prosecutors and judge to agree to a deal that would see Schettino plead guilty in exchange for a three-year five-month sentence. Schettino risks up to 20 years, if found guilty on charges of manslaughter, abandoning ship and causing the shipwreck off the coast of Italy on Jan. 13, 2012, that killed 32 people. 

Laino said the defense team was pessimistic. The bid is essentially a "formality since the prosecution will tell us 'no,'a " the LaPresse news agency quoted the lawyer as saying. Prosecutors must give their assent to any plea-bargain arrangement. But deals were approved for the five other defendants, including the helmsman and other ship officers who were on the bridge of the ship with Schettino when it rammed the reef while cruising too close to Giglio in the darkness of a winter evening. The five included an official of the Italian cruise company Costa Crociere SpA who was managing the crisis on land. 

A judge is expected to rule Saturday on those defendants' requests for lenient sentences, with the stiffest request for a prison term of about two years.We offer a wide variety of high-quality standard granitetiles and controllers. In Italy, sentences are often suspended in the cases of first time convictions that result in punishments of a just a few years or less. That means Schettino could be the only Costa Concordia defendant who risks a long sentence. 

Schettino calls himself an innocent scapegoat. Prosecutors have alleged he deliberately guided the ship dangerously close to the island's rocky coast in a publicity stunt.Some of the 4,200 passengers and crew who were aboard the Concordia have said Schettino shouldn't be the only person being tried in the case. 

"Frankly, I'm not angry with Schettino," said Gianluca Gabrielli, a 33-year-old Roman who is a surviving passenger. "I'm angry with the whole crew.The feeder is available on drying parkingsystem equipped with folder only. They were smiling at the beginning, but when they realized that there was danger, they escaped, abandoning us," Gabrielli said outside the Grosseto theater, which is serving as a makeshift courtroom to allow more space for the public. 

When the reef gouged a 70-meter-long (230-foot) gash in the side of the hull, seawater rushed in, causing the Concordia to quickly list badly, finally ending up capsized outside Giglio's tiny port.Passengers described a chaotic evacuation that was ordered so late that many lifeboats on the listing side couldn't be launched. Many survivors, who jumped into the sea and swam to shore, have recalled their shock and amazement that Schettino was already on shore while others were still on the boat. 

Most of the last survivors had to be lifted to safety from the capsized wreck by helicopters.Also dismayed that Schettino was the sole defendant was a Moldovan dancer, Domnica Cemortan, who was on the bridge with the captain when the collision occurred. Cemortan said she was traveling as a passenger. But she has said that she had worked in the past as a hostess for the Italian cruise operator. 

Cemortan told reporters she came to court Wednesday to formally ask to join hundreds of other survivors in civil actions attached to the criminal trial that could bring monetary compensation in case of conviction. "In my opinion, there cannot be only one defendant," Cemortan said. "It is strange to see only one person made to be the guilty one" in the courtroom. 

From the first moment the news broke, the City was overwhelmed with heartfelt calls and letters filled with sympathy and support for the families of the men and our community. We realize that there is no way to personally recognize and thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support which has been received. 

Firefighters and uniformed officers from more than 200 agencies and organizations in Arizona and around the country rushed to Prescott to join the Incident Management Team. They worked tirelessly around the clock to meet the needs of the families, our fire department, and our community.Find the best selection of high-quality collectible offshoremerchantaccount available anywhere. The 100 Club was one of the first on the scene to provide the families with direct financial assistance. The City of Phoenix Fire Department stepped up, arriving in full force to bolster our fire department and establish a donation account for the families. Their help, along with the other firefighters from Arizona and around the country, freed up crucial time to allow Prescott firefighters to be with the families and attend the memorial and funeral services. 

Donations to help the families continue to arrive; they are much needed and appreciated. The Arizona Diamondbacks led the way raising more than $700,000. Seven-year-old Ava Kleinman and her familys bake sale raised $25,000. Numerous local businesses in Prescott and throughout Arizona have contributed large sums to help. The donations from out-of-state have simply been incredible. The community of Bakersfield, California, and the Kern County Fire Department just raised more than $125,000. Whether a substantial check or a dollar placed in a local donation boot, every bit helps. To the thousands of groups and individuals who have donated and deserve to be individually recognized, we apologize for not being able to mention each and every one of you. 

The City Council is especially grateful to our Prescott Fire Department and other city employees, who in the midst of so much anguish stood tall and excelled under the most difficult of circumstances. Through the worst kind of tragedy imaginable, the world learned of Prescotts best, and Prescott has received the best from the world. 

Important work is underway to fulfill our pledge to honor each of these men for their legacy with the highest distinction.Parkeasy Electronics are dedicated to provide granitecountertops. We must honor them in the same way we honor others of our country who have led by example,New and used commercial jewelryfindings sales, rentals, and service. and in doing so made the ultimate sacrifice. The Granite Mountain Hotshots will never be forgotten, nor will the generosity and compassion which was bestowed upon our community by so many others. 
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