Emily Simpson

If the case had gone to trial, these are the instructions the judge would have used to ensure fair sentencing.

Suspend all but 18 months.

The judge believed Mike's crimes warranted a 15-year sentence, but his defense team had struck a deal with the state.

As part of the plea agreement, they decided on a maximum amount of time Mike would spend behind bars, 18 months.

18 months is a magic number in Montgomery County.

It meant that Mike would go to county jail instead of state prison.

Saskia first heard that number on her call with Rebecca, the prosecutor.

It was the same call where she learned there would be no trial.

When she heard that Mike would only serve a maximum of 18 months, she was devastated.

I can't tell you how wrong that felt.

Her sister, Marisa, tried to help her see the positives of the plea.

We try to focus on the guilty plea, you know.

He's a sex offender for life.

The prosecutors knew Saskia wanted Mike in prison for life.

But victims' perspectives are only one element that they weigh in making plea agreements.

To the prosecutors, 18 months plus a guarantee that Mike would be on the sex offender registry for life was a win.

On that day in court, when the judge handed down the sentence, Marisa was moved.

Oh, God, that was just an amazing.

Here's Saskia.

I remember the attorneys.