To accept a plea bargain or not to accept...?

A friend of mine is to be tried for a criminal offense which he says he did not commit. I believe him. The first time he was to be tried for this crime it was thrown out of court due to lack of evidence. They came back at him again. He is out on bail. His lawyer was confident at first, but now is not. The prosecuting attorney claims they have a witness, but they "can't find that witness currently". It is his word against the plaintiff's. It is a small town where everyone knows most everyone. He suspects that his lawyer has either been paid off by the prosecution OR is just a poor lawyer (which he has been told by multiple people in the area). His lawyer seems to be "playing dumb" or perhaps he really is. Either way, several people have told him to take a plea bargain as the prosecution is friendly with the judge or something to that affect.

They are offering a plea bargain which will keep him out of jail, but will make life very difficult for him. He has been told to accept the plea bargain or more than likely go to prison for many years. Does he accept the plea bargain?

He cannot afford to pay an attorney up front which is what other attorney's have requested of him. His current attorney accepts payments.

[Law200]

...he should consider at least getting funds for a second opinion on the case.

It is hard to imagine the lawyer is taking bribes etc., but he may not be skilled at trials and if he is not, then you MUST get another lawyer to resolve and negotiate this.