I Already Signed!”: Defendant’s Outburst After Judge West Rejects Plea Deal

Added: 2026-05-21

[00:00:06]Will I reset for probation?

[00:00:08]I don't have to accept your probation. I was I wasn't told that.

[00:00:13]Yeah, you actually were because we reset your case for sentencing. And here's the thing, it doesn't matter.

[00:00:21]All right, are you Robert Lowe?

[00:00:22]And so, Mr. Lowe was previously in court, entered pleas of guilty to uh three cases of possession of child pornography. There was an agreement in those three cases for a 7-year deferred probation and a $1,000 fine with dismissals, I think, in three or four other cases.

[00:00:42]Um I've received the re- the presentence report. Has everyone had an opportunity to review that report?

[00:00:48]>> Yes, sir.

[00:00:50]I I don't >> [clears throat] >> I feel like this is different from some of these types of cases um because Mr. Lowe was actually involved in creating [snorts] with his own family member victim who was very young, 5 years old.

[00:01:21]So, this wasn't some I I downloaded something and didn't realize what I was downloading. This is this is very different. This is a family member that was victimized because of this.

[00:01:32]Uh don't talk right now, okay?

[00:01:35]Um and so, for those reasons, I I do not feel comfortable accepting deferred probations in these cases. So, I'm going to reject those um plea offers.

[00:01:46]Uh I don't know um honestly, I haven't thought more about what I would be amenable to other than potentially uh just letting a jury decide. I'll reset it one time. You guys negotiate, see where you are on it, and if you come up with something, you can contact me.

[00:02:04]Otherwise, we'll get rejections and get his cases set for trial and let a jury decide one way or the other. Okay? I'm just not comfortable with this at all. You can go back with the bailiff.

[00:02:15]Will I reset my probation?

[00:02:17]I don't have to accept your probation. I was I wasn't told that.

[00:02:21]Yeah, you actually were. Because we reset your case for sentencing. And here's the thing, it doesn't matter if you were or not.

[00:02:29]I'm not accepting the plea agreements, okay? I don't There's nothing you can do at this point other than Ms. Holmes will be out there to visit with you about any other options. And if you don't like those options, or if I don't like those options, then ultimately, that's what a jury's for if everyone can't agree, and then [clears throat] we get a jury to come in and determine if you're guilty and what the punishment is if you are found guilty, okay? So, let's see where we're at. I'm not going to consider any bonds at this time. Yes, your honor. I just uh his his mother is here, and so but just for the record, cuz I did I have spoken with her on several occasions, as well as with Mr. Lowe, they did keep asking me if he would get out today, and my response to both of them was that it's up to the judge.

[00:03:15]Okay.

[00:03:16]>> End of the day. So, I told you that yesterday. Yes, ma'am. When I visited with you, Yes, ma'am. and I told that to your mother, Yes, ma'am. that ultimately it's up to the court on whether you would be released today and placed on probation.

[00:03:30]>> [clears throat] >> Yes, ma'am.

[00:03:31]Uh Thank you, Ms. Holmes. You can go back with the bailiff. Can I get a cigarette now? It's probably not wise right now, okay? Go back with the bailiff.

[00:03:41]Um I'm going to delete the other uh dismissals that came through at this time.

[00:04:07]>> All right, Ms. Holmes on John Dre Willis.

[00:04:11]There's no paperwork on this, right?

[00:04:14]Okay.

[00:04:16]Let's get Mr. Willis.

[00:04:43]Good morning. You're John Dre Willis.

[00:04:45]And this is 25 DCCR 1048. Mr. Willis is charged with burglary of a habitation.

[00:04:51]What is the announcement?

[00:04:53]>> [clears throat] >> He was here on October 21st. The complainant in this case signed a non-prosecution affidavit. She came to court that day and during the >> [cough] >> pendency of the court process, she got my attention. We went to the back and she said, "I changed my mind. I don't want to do it. I want want him to be held some kind of responsible."

[00:05:19]Based on that fact, I took that non-prosecution affidavit you know, kind of out of the equation and the court imposed the bond conditions by agreement Yeah.

[00:05:31]>> that the bond would be reduced to 7,500.

[00:05:33]He was to have no contact with her, GPS, and he had to go and live with his mom in Iberia Parish. We have that address.

[00:05:40]He has obviously not made that bond in the interim 6 weeks or so.

[00:05:46]She has not reached back out to me, but in light of that fact, I don't feel comfortable making the offer that has been requested for a misdemeanor. I would be willing to offer a felony probation with the same conditions.

[00:05:59]Pending a PSI, just think a PSI would be important. I've tried to call her this morning with no answer. I can either This is where courtroom negotiations get incredibly complicated.

[00:06:11]The alleged victim has changed her story more than once, and now the prosecution is trying to avoid making a decision that could backfire later.

[00:06:18]The judge, meanwhile, is carefully weighing safety, credibility, and fairness all at the same time.

[00:06:26]And with a firearm previously mentioned in the case, even reduced concerns still carry serious legal weight. either make that offer pending a PSI, or I could ask you for 1 week and see if I can get a hold of her. I just don't want her to feel blindsided by it because she's gone back and forth. I'm not saying that she hasn't gone back and forth, but I think there needs to be some things in place.

[00:06:49]There was also a gun involved. We were able to determine that she actually found it, and it was not as big of an issue as we had initially thought, which is why my willingness to make the felony probation offer. I just think it's that's in my best interest to So, why don't we do this? I mean, I don't want I I did reduce that bond.

[00:07:09]I've found that. Let's reset it to next Tuesday. See if you can get in touch with her. If that changes anything with regard to any agreements, and if it doesn't, then I would potentially consider reconsider that bond number to something that he was able to make with those same conditions. I think that would be proper for everyone's safety. Just but we could make the same conditions with a lower bond. So, let's reset it to next Tuesday, and Just like that, the case gets pushed another week down the road. No final deal, no immediate release, and plenty of unanswered questions.

[00:07:46]Cases like this show how unpredictable the justice system can become when emotions, relationships, and conflicting statements collide. So, what do you think?

[00:07:55]Was the judge being cautious and responsible here?

[00:07:59]Or overly hesitant? Let me know in the comments.