BAKER COUNTY, Fla. — A judge rejected two proposed plea deals for Ruben Ebron on drug charges in Baker County Tuesday morning.
That comes after he took a plea deal in Duval County two weeks ago for aggravated manslaughter in the death of Lonzie Barton.
The rejection means Ebron is still set for a trial in Baker County on three drug charges and a charge of resisting an officer.
Ebron’s attorney George Nelson proposed a no contest plea of two years in prison, served concurrently with the 20-year sentence he’s serving right now for aggravated manslaughter.
“I’m not going to be able to accept that,” said Judge James Colaw.
Nelson came back with another proposed plea deal of 13 months served consecutively with that manslaughter sentence.
“I am not comfortable with that disposition and I am not willing to accept that,” said Judge Colaw.
Sheriff Joey Dobson said after the hearing he had hoped this case would get resolved Tuesday.
“It’s something that all parties, I think, including the sheriff’s office, was trying to work out to see if we could not conclude the case. The court could not,” said Dobson.
Nelson told the judge he does not feel prepared for a trial next month.
The judge urged him to make resolving this case a top priority.
There’s another hearing set for March 8.
Nelson told the judge he plans to file to move Ebron’s trial outside of Baker County.
Ebron is staying in Baker County Jail while he awaits trial. That’s where Lonzie’s parents are also locked up on drug charges.
Dobson is checking to see if a jail in a neighboring county can house Chris Barton while Ebron is in Baker.
Cox Media Group
