Sly: The question Jason Roberts’ lawyers asked the court before retrial

The retrial of Jason Roberts — who was this week acquitted of the murders of two police in 1998 — was in doubt earlier this year as the accused considered pleading guilty to one homicide charge.

Roberts, who was accused of the 1998 shooting deaths of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller was found not guilty and released from custody on Monday.

The Age crime reporter John ‘Sly’ Silvester has this morning revealed Roberts’ lawyers earlier this year sought an answer from the judge on how long he’d spend behind bars if he pleaded guilty to the murder of Gary Silk, but not Rod Miller, and 10 armed robberies.

A request for a Sentencing Indication does not, of course, necessarily imply guilt.

Roberts pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.

“It was just an option on the table and Roberts chose to exercise his lawful right for jury trial,” Sly told Ross and Russel.

Press PLAY below for more details and Sly’s thoughts