Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Litigation Shareholder Barry I. Slotnick Talks Van der Sloot Murder Case on CBS News

On the first day of his murder trial, Joran van der Sloot requested time to "reflect" before entering his plea in the death of Stephany Flores. In an interview with CBS News, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Litigation Shareholder Barry I. Slotnick attributed the change in strategy to an attempt at reduced sentencing.

"Van der Sloot does not want to go to jail. I think he's come to the realization he's going to jail. At this point, this is to determine how many years – is it 30 or is it 8 years?" Slotnick asked. "That's what's in play."

He explained attorneys for van der Sloot were arguing he was emotionally disturbed at the time of the killing, which could reduce the plea from murder to manslaughter.

"That's eight years, versus murder, which is 30 years," Slotnick noted.

Van der Sloot made headlines in connection with the 2005 disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway. When asked if there could be a deal made with regards to the Flores case, Slotnick agreed it was a possibility.

"Absolutely. It's alleged that van der Sloot tried to get some money by revealing where [Holloway's] body was. I don't think anybody questions the fact he knows where the body is," which could set the stage for a deal in exchange for revealing Holloway's fate, Slotnick explained.

Still, Slotnick believes it’s unlikely van der Sloot will ever be charged in the United States in connection with Holloway's disappearance.

"I think that ultimately we will allow them in Peru and Aruba to take care of this issue – we've had enough of him."