Sonny has gone on a plea bargain so the prosecutor didnt have to prove shit. He didnt even get a trial, since he cut a deal and simply went to jail.
Yes, which means it's proven for all intents and purposes, such as a subsequent civil suit.
I'm sure he just pled guilty for the fun of it because he loves prison, though. He didn't actually do any of that shit.
I am not making judgements here, since I have no clue about the case. However, if you have ever been accused of anything and been put under pressure by a hot shot prosecutor who wants indictments more than anything, who will try getting you 400 years in prison on your first offence... well if you have a shitty lawyer, you might just want to say yes to that even if you are innocent.
Again: Im not making any call on Sonny. Taking the bargain might have been a deal even if he would have been innocent and simply "badly affiliated." I am quite glad to have a lawyer that would likely answer "U MAD??!?!?!" and demand a trial for me here in Germany... lucky we have only had civil law suits so far, mostly about people trying to rip ME off.