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[h=4]Lawyers, guns and money: Waco chaos moves to courtroom[/h]The roundup of suspects following the deadly shootout in Waco, Texas, is going to keep local prosecutors and defense lawyers very busy for long time, lawyers say. Bond was set at $1 million for just about all
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Waco Police said Tuesday that when it comes to bike gangs, violence usually condones more violence and that this war between motorcycle gangs is most like not over. VPC
This combination of booking photos provided by the McLennan County Sheriff's office shows people arrested during the motorcycle gang-related shooting at the Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, Texas on Sunday, May 17, 2015.(Photo: AP)
The bullets are no longer flying, but the legal battles are just beginning after the deadly shootout in Waco, Texas, as lawyers prepare for the deluge of criminal court cases.
An explosion of violence between rival gangs over the weekend left nine people dead and led to the arrests of 170 people.
Bond was set at $1 million each for just about all the 170 suspects, and jailers were working Tuesday to keep rival biker gang members apart in lockup. That leaves the matter of prosecuting 170 people on a charge of engaging in organized crime. That's a felony that can bring a sentence of five years to life in prison.
Some of those charges could be upgraded to murder, a capital offense. Texas has the death penalty.
McLennan County District Attorney Abelino Reyna has been mum thus far on how he plans to press forward. Defense lawyers in Texas say Reyna and his team of about a dozen felony prosecutors will be overwhelmed and will need help from the state attorney general's office.
"It's pretty much unchartered territory for anybody," said Walter Reaves Jr., a defense lawyer with 34 years experience. "It's going to put a strain on the entire court system."
USA TODAY
Waco police call for truce after deadly biker violence
Michael Heiskell is a defense lawyer, former federal and state prosecutor, and past president of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He says the county docket for its two criminal courtrooms was full before Sunday's deadly mayhem. Don't expect many trials to emerge from all the resulting charges, he said.
"The magnitude of the arrests is amazing," Heiskell said. "It could break the bank in McLennan County."
Heiskell said the cost of a death penalty case can reach "high six figures" and possibly $1 million. For defendants who can't pay that bill, the costs fall back on the county.
"I think when the dust settles you may have maybe a few capital charges filed," Heiskell said. And expect those to be plea bargained down, he added. But the first legal battles will begin immediately, focusing on the $1 million bonds, he said.
"These bonds are, in my opinion, excessive," Heiskell said. "They are punitive, a knee-jerk reaction by the court without looking at what role each defendant played."
Reaves and Heiskell agree that, due to conflicts of interest, each defendant is entitled to his own lawyer. There won't be that many felony-qualified lawyers in Waco, Reaves said.
Reaves, who said he already has been contacted by family members of several of the defendants, said it's not just lawyers that will be in short supply. Investigators and expert witnesses also will be needed.
"I think the situation right now is that they don't know who did what, so they are charging everybody," Reaves said. "There will be a lot of charges dropped. There will be a lot of plea bargains. There has to be."
GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: Biker gangs put us on hit list after deadly shooting | 00:49The more than 160 people arrested after a biker gang shootout in Waco, Texas could face capital murder charges for their role in the incident that left nine people dead and 18 injured. Police also say they've received threats against their lives. VPC
GUNFIGHT IN WACOAfter Waco shootout, biker turf war far from over | 02:17Police expect to wrap up their investigation at the scene of that deadly shootout in Waco on Tuesday. 170 people have been arrested. But police say the threat of retaliation from other bikers is still a huge concern. VPC
GUNFIGHT IN WACOFmr. Investigator: Biker Wars 'Not Going to End' | 01:13Following the fatal gun battle between rival gangs in Waco, Texas Sunday, a former motorcycle gang investigator says these turf wars are nothing new. The ex-head of the Minnesota Hell's Angels also adds perspective. (May 18) AP
GUNFIGHT IN WACO170 motorcycle gang members arrested in shootout | 02:16About 170 members of rival motorcycle gangs were charged with engaging in organized crime Monday, a day after a shootout at a Texas restaurant that killed nine people and wounded 18. (May 18) AP
GUNFIGHT IN WACORestaurant of biker gang shooutout takes heat after violence | 01:28Twin Peaks, the restaurant in Waco, Texas, where several motorcycle gangs were involved in a shootout, is now facing reprimands from the state and the management team of the franchised restaurant. VPC
GUNFIGHT IN WACOTwin Peaks closed after biker shootout, 192 arrested | 01:53A Waco, Texas Twin Peaks is shut down for seven days for safety concerns following a gang shootout that left nine dead and 18 wounded. 192 people were arrested and charged with engaging in organized crime.
GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: Twin Peaks partly responsible for gang shootout | 01:49Nine "members of criminal biker gangs" are dead after a gunfight between rival gangs at a Texas Twin Peaks restaurant. Waco, Texas police say they partly blame the restaurant because they asked them not to host the meeting between the gangs. VPC
GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: Nine Bikers Dead in Shootout | 01:30Waco, Texas police say nine members of rival bike gangs are dead, after a shootout at a restaurant on Sunday. The fighting began while the rival gangs were meeting. (May 17) AP
GUNFIGHT IN WACODispute between biker gangs turns deadly in Waco, Texas | 02:06Nine people were killed Sunday afternoon during a gunfight between rival biker gangs at a Waco, Texas restaurant. WFAA
GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: 'Worst' gunfight in the history of Waco, Texas | 01:29Several members of rival biker gangs were killed and injured when a gunfight broke out at a Waco, Texas restaurant Sunday. VPC
GUNFIGHT IN WACOSeveral killed in Waco, Texas biker gang shootout | 00:52Nine people were killed Sunday when a gunfight broke out between rival motorcycle gangs at a Waco, Texas restaurant. KCEN
GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: 9 dead in Texas biker gang shooting | 00:32A shooting involving rival biker gangs at a Waco, Texas restaurant has left nine people dead and some others injured, according to police. (May 17) AP
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