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Drug trafficking suspect opts for trial over deal
By CARY DAVIS, Times Staff Writer
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Richard Paey has been in this situation before: facing a trial on charges of trafficking painkillers, knowing a conviction means an automatic sentence of 25 years in prison. Last time, he took a big risk. Paey, a chronic pain patient and Ivy League law school graduate, rejected a plea bargain offer from prosecutors that would have spared him any prison time. In July, he went to trial and lost. But on the eve of sentencing, he won a reprieve when a judge threw out the conviction and ordered a new trial. Now, Paey again has been offered a way out of the 25-year minimum prison sentence. Prosecutors agreed to reduce the charge if Paey would plead guilty and accept a three-year prison sentence. But once again, Paey is taking the all-or-nothing approach. He rejected the deal. His attorney, Robert Attridge, revealed the prosecution's offer at a hearing Monday morning. He did not say why Paey rejected the deal and declined to comment afterward. A phone message left at Paey's home in Hudson was not returned. There is no evidence that Paey ever sold drugs to anyone. But because of the number of pills he allegedly obtained with fraudulent prescriptions, he was charged with trafficking in oxycodone. He allegedly obtained more than 28 grams, or about 1 ounce, of oxycodone illegally. That pushed him into Florida's toughest sentencing category for drug trafficking. Paey, 43, said in a July interview with the Times that he would never plead guilty because he is innocent. He also said any prison term would be a death sentence for him. Paey uses a wheelchair and suffers from multiple sclerosis. Paey has said he became hooked on painkillers in the mid-1980s after a botched back surgery. He said a New Jersey doctor gave him permission to photocopy blank prescriptions and fill them out himself. Prosecutors have said previously that they believe Paey needs treatment for his addiction, not a 25-year prison term. But if Paey won't accept a plea bargain, prosecutors say, there's nothing they can do. The trial is expected to take place later this year. -- Cary Davis covers courts in west Pasco County. He can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6236, toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6236, or cbdavis@sptimes.com.
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From today's Pasco Times Letters |
