"close ties"

Looks like this case is coming to an end. Both Buckman and Walton have pled guilty.
Sentencing for Walton is 9/11/09
Sentencing for Buckman is 10/9/09

Its been 5 years since the murders. The families of the victims will finally have some closure. Its good that they didn't have to go through a long arduous trial.

Now if they were doing a flick on some cop, why would they interview the Waltons? How many times has Mike been arrested by him? Maybe you ought to read the paper before signing.

If you had a video camera trained on you, (I think they just use one camera, and its probably not really big) while you were being told your son was suspected of murder, and you were also told the camera was because they were following some officer, that video camera is going to be the very last thing on your mind. You would have no reason to doubt what you were told, and besides your world was just shaken up when you were told your son was a suspect in a triple murder. You aren't thinking straight and you sure as heck are more worried about your son's safety than what the videotape is going to be used for.

I'm not sure why the producers try to be deceptive when taping the footage, perhaps they feel that it wouldn't be authentic if the people knew they would be on national TV, and are more likely to be open and act naturally if the presence of the camera was minimized.

Mike did sign away his right to a speedy trial. What innocent man is going to sit in jail for 3 years!

There have been innocent men sitting in prison for DECADES never mind just a few short years. If you are in jail to be held over for a murder trial, in which you hadn't actually committed the murder, you would certainly be just waiting for the day you could go home. You would naturally assume that the prosecutors would realize their mistake and let you out of jail the next day. The lawyer is your only hope to prove your innocence and he keeps asking for delays in order to better prepare your case.

As to if Walton is guilty or innocent, I don't know, but I am certainly not going to draw a conclusion just from the fact he has been sitting in jail for 3 years.

Though we know he is used to living in a cage.

It must be difficult having a criminal record. People will just assume you are guilty of whatever you are being accused of! From what I have seen of Walton's record, it was mostly drunk driving and auto theft. I don't see how you can assume someone is a killer just from that fact.

Lots of people have criminal records, and many have turned the lives around and made something of themselves. You can't just say this person has been in jail so that means he is guilty. That is how many innocent people have ended up in prison. The judge, prosecutors or jury just assume that since this person has a history of being in jail, it must mean he is guilty now.

Ask him if he plans on testifing?

One of the instructions that judges always give to the jury is to not draw ANY conclusions of the guilt or innocence of the defendant based on their willingness or unwillingness to testify on their own behalf. There are many reasons why a defendant would not want to take the stand, regardless of their innocence or guilt. One big reason is that the prosecutor might choose to indict the defendant based on his past criminal record or behavior and try to show the jury you can't believe the defendant. If the defendant doesn't take the stand, then the jury is not presented with that information.

Also, if you really are innocent, then you are confident with the lack evidence and that the prosecutor will not be able to prove you guilty. You are willing to sit back and let facts speak for themselves.

Hear is an update on the Walton/Buckman cases. Walton had a trial management hearing Sept 26. Trial is scheluled to start on Nov. 10 as long as the prosecutor doesn't keep dragging his feet. Yes it has taken 3 years for these trials to get started but by no means do's it indicate that Walton is guilty. As for the show, Walton's family did not receive monies nor did they relize it was the First 48 . They were under the impression that is was the police videoing a shoot on Officer Jason Schidming.Walton has waiting this long because he had no choice. May some closure come soon to the families of the victims.

You are right on how the procudure go's. The state has offered both Walton and Buckman a plea bargin of life without parole. Walton refused the deal and on Sept.26 it is due back in court to set trial date. As for Buckman I am uncertain what he will do. Buckman is the actual shooter in this case and Walton stands to the fact of not being there.Either way justice will be served.It has been a long time coming for all the familie's involved and will be nice to have some closesure. I wish Walton well.

Any sort of negotiations going on between the attorneys and defendants is not public record. What is most likely going on is the defense knows the evidence the prosecution has and the prosecutor is probably saying something to the effect of, plead guilty and we will recommend life in prison. Go to trial and if you are found guilty we will seek the death penalty.

I'm not familiar with how this particular court operates. "Possible change of Plea" could just be an automatically scheduled conference wherein a defendant is given one last chance to plead guilty before all the wheels are set in motion for the trial. Murder trials are very expensive so they try to settle for plea agreements. Or this could have been requested by the defense. You would have to find out who made the motion for this conference.

Its really not possible to find out juicy details like you are curious about. True crime book authors make friends with prosectors and investigators and do research at the court in order to write their books. Hopefully someone will write a book about this case, it sure is interesting.

You can bet your bottom dollar he is the defense attorney.

U GO MAMA CHERI 1....MIKIE WILL BE FREE OF ALL CHARGES...AND ALL US WHO ARE HURTING WILL REVOICE BUCKMAN WILL PAY I"M VERY CLOSE ALSO I KNOW MIKIE AND BUCKMAN ITS CLEAR TO ME AND MY FAMILY BUCKMAN DID IT MIKIE IS BEING FRAMED BY A COWARD...THE VICTIMS FAMILIES WILL SEE I STAND BESIDE MAMA CHERI 1 150% AS WELL AS MICKIE

You are so right. The verdict will be in the hands of the jury and I for one believe they will find Michael Walton innocent and Ryan Buckman guilty.As of today there still is no evidence that link Walton to the crime but everything has Buckmans DNA all over the place. Buckman had extreme motive to want to frame Walton and all of that will come out in court when Buckman takes the stand against Walton. It will show that Buckman is a liar and did this terrible crime to 3 beautiful young people. The jury selection stats July 9 and the trial begins Aug. 18 Don't misunderstand me,I am aware of Walton's past too but he would never kill anyone. My prayers go out to the families and friend's of the 3 victims. It was something that should have never happened. If the police had took serious the threates Buckman has many to several people maybe this could have been provented. At least he can't hurt anyone else now.