Laurean, a Marine, is accused of killing Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach and burying her body in the back yard of his Jacksonville house.
Sharpe was a volunteer who appears to be going to UNC-Wilmington. Only two copies were to be made in the case of critical documents for the prosecutors and the defense counsel. Prosecutors became suspicious when documents began to appear on a newspaper blog. It would be unethical for a journalist to pay for documents, though he may have turned over the documents without payment under a confidentiality agreement.
Sharpe has reportedly attacked the Jacksonville Daily News, which he allegedly gave him confidentiality protection and betrayed him: “I am very disappointed with the Daily News. I was supposed to be a confidential source, they screwed me over and offered no help or assistance afterward. I put my trust in the organization.” This is not exactly the type of thing that a criminal defense should be discussing before a trial. He may indeed have a legitimate gripe with the newspaper, but this statement would be admissible in the trial. A plea seem likely, though a deal with the very prosecutors who you betrayed would be hard to come by.
As for the Daily News, more information would be useful on their role in this matter.
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