Justice denied for Lilly: Plea deal in tragic hunting accident
In a tragic hunting accident that claimed the life of 18-year-old Lilly Patman, a plea deal was agreed upon in Amelia County, Virginia. Thomas Farleigh, 69, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in court, avoiding a scheduled jury trial. While he will not serve time in jail, Farleigh will be on probation for a year, lose hunting privileges for five years, and must exhibit good behavior for a decade. A charge of reckless handling of a firearm was dropped as part of the deal. Despite the acceptance of an Alford plea, which indicates an understanding of potential conviction, Lilly's family expressed disappointment at the outcome and believed a jury trial would have provided a semblance of justice for their daughter. Farleigh, who had been a long-time family friend and neighbor, had accidentally shot Lilly during a hunting event on his property. Lilly, who had a promising future ahead and aspired to be a social worker, was dearly loved by her family. They felt that the plea deal did not hold Farleigh accountable for his actions, leaving them struggling to come to terms with their loss.
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