not a court precedent but a perception precedent still

Maybe. Lets see

Depends what they plead guilty to, if it's their dumb tweets and messaging then...yeah doesn't matter.

Of course there will be. I don't follow the case or pretend to know legalese. I merely know that it's the first case of its kind. The outcome sets the precedent Prosecutors will look at this case and decide wether it's worth prosecuting or not. If prior cases led to guilty pleads it's a win in their books so the incentive and the standard will be set.

A plea deal doesn't go to court and a court is needed to set a precedent