COLORADO CITY — A Colorado City man charged with sex offenses involving a minor balked at his April 14 change of plea hearing. Public Defender Paul Amann informed the Court that many of his supporters had been encouraging Jesse Jessop, 68, to reject the plea deal.
Amann said he had already informed his client of the disparate potential outcomes regarding terms of the plea deal versus what might happen if he stands trial instead. And Amann asked Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle to do the same to make certain Jessop had the necessary information to make his decision.
Judge Carlisle then engaged in tedious explanation of what might happen if Jessop were to be convicted of child molestation, sexual abuse and six counts of sexual conduct with a minor. Additional analysis came when deputy Mohave County attorney Amanda Claerhout indicated she would add charges involving a second victim under the age of 14 if Jessop rejected the plea deal.
Jessop’s confusion was evident as Judge Carlisle indicated the sentencing ranges for the various counts, and the total if he were to be convicted of all charges at trial.
The defendant was informed he was risking a 49-to-87-year prison term if he lost at trial, as opposed to the proposed resolution of the case with a 5-to-10-year prison sentence through the plea offer. Judge Carlisle asked if he wanted to take the deal or not.
“I just don’t understand why I’d plead guilty to something I didn’t do,” Jessop replied.
Judge Carlisle subsequently set a final management conference for June 18 and a trial start on August 4.
