It appears Vincent Degidio Jr. will spend almost 29 years in prison for kidnapping, pistol-whipping, and threatening a woman in a spree last year that began in Fargo and ended in Moorhead.
Degidio, who remains in a prison hospital in South Carolina, appeared via telephone link Wednesday during a status conference on his case in U.S. District Court in Fargo.
In a voice that sounded firm and not hesitant, Degidio agreed to waive a personal court appearance and instead to formally enter a guilty plea and be sentenced via interactive television link with a federal courtroom in Fargo.
The waiver was required, the prosecution and defense agreed, to allow the proceeding via interactive television link. The judge, prosecutor and court clerks will be in Fargo, but Degidio will be joined in South Carolina by his public defender.
That arrangement was agreed upon after it became clear it would be cumbersome for U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson to get the necessary permissions to preside over a hearing in South Carolina.
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"The problem with that is we need the permission of about 84 people," Erickson said. Also, given the extent of Degidio's injuries, there is no secure facility in the Fargo area that could hold the defendant and treat him medically, the judge said.
Degidio was shot in a face-off with police last April 3 in south Moorhead, after he abducted a Fargo woman at gunpoint and took her across the border, where he said he intended to rape and kill her, according to court records.
Erickson said he is now prepared to accept a proposed plea agreement between the prosecution and defense that would keep Degidio, who was 28 at the time of his arrest, in prison for 28 years and eight months.
A combined change of plea and sentencing hearing was tentatively set for March 13.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Patrick Springer at (701) 241-5522
