As much as I hate reading about this tragedy, Barton pleading “not guilty” is as much his attorney’s suggestion as it is his choice. Regardless of the repulsion of someone’s act, it’s still the government’s job to press the charges and make sure they have the evidence to prove the charges.
In my law ignorant perspective, this just makes the negotiations for a plea deal all the more likely. There’s no negotiation if you plead “guilty” from the jump.
