ADA Evans reads 57 counts vs. Rzeplinski
Charge stacking a non-cooperative defendant is not just tall, but long; Droning, repetitive reading serves state purpose, but can also work for '2A Ray'
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Tuesday, July 30, 2024 — Nicole Evans is reading off the indictments, 57 counts, each one exactly the same except for the naming of the weapon Ray Rzeplinski is said to have feloniously owned — Ruger, Sig Sauer, Springfield, Walther, Vanguard, Winchester.
The dates of his alleged offenses are Aug. 16-21, 2019. On these dates, Ray “2A Ray” Rzeplinski so threatened the public peace and tranquility that he merits being put away in a prison cell 1,270 years. The grand jury claims, as Mrs. Evans says, he did “unlawfully, and intentionally, knowingly or recklessly possess a firearm” after having committed a “felony crime of violence, attempt to commit crime of violence, or felony using a weapon,” (which latter he didn’t do, “against the peace and dignity of the state.”
Each charge refers to the 1996 conviction for burglary docket no. 95-402 in criminal court in Bradley County. T.C.A. 39-17-1307.
Every count is read — shotguns, pistols, rifle, brand and millimeter or caliber, comes from an ADA wearing a black jacket and a pretty, floral dress with roses and other red, orange flowers.
The effect can go either way upon the jurors, who were selected in voir dire of about two hours. It can impress the juror that this man is truly, truly wicked. The repetitive list also works to suggest the massive, massive case, with more than 95 percent of the counts being identical, is abusive and malicious.
I am covering this trial because Coty Wamp has committed state resources in a case that at best is discretionary. I speculate that as this pernicious criminal allegation grew, and more went into it, that the psychology of past investment took over, and the Coty Wamp DA’s office wasn’t going to drop it no matter how absurd.