'Nasty in Manhattan' Going to Trial

(New York City) According to last month's report, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Carol Berkman gave 41-year-old Lina Sinha until October 18 to decide whether she would accept a new plea deal after the judge rejected the first offer as inadequate. Judge Berkman specified that the agreement must include at least six years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea.

From NYPost.com:

An East Side Montessori school director charged with seducing two male students -- starting when they were only 12 and 13 -- declined yesterday to take a judge's best-deal plea offer of six years in prison, paving the way for a trial as early as mid-January.

Lina Sinha, 40, is fighting 80 counts of rape, sodomy and tampering with witnesses and evidence to cover her tracks.

"We are ramping up for trial," said her lawyer, Gerald Shargel.

Maybe, and maybe not. Frankly, I suspect that Sinha will closely weigh her chances of winning in court, which appear slim, and decide to skip to India where she has family and friends. I'm fairly convinced that she will do anything to avoid even one day in prison.


[Update 02/27/07]

Sinha trial underway.


[Update 03/30/07]

Lina Sinha convicted. Sentencing scheduled for April 19th.


[Update 04/19/07]

Sinha sentenced to prison.