Plaxico Burress Sentenced

[powderkegg]

I didn't find any other pertinent threads in this section so here is the scoop on his sentencing. Why can't people just follow the law?

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...d_N.htm?csp=34

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress tearfully told his family goodbye as he was led away to prison Tuesday after being sentenced to two years on a weapons charge.

Burress was so soft-spoken during his apologetic courtroom address that onlookers could not understand him.

Burress, at the time a star receiver with the New York Giants, was at the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan last November when a gun tucked into his waistband slipped down his leg and fired, wounding him in the thigh.

The gun was not licensed in New York or in New Jersey, where Burress lived. His license to carry a concealed weapon in Florida had expired in May 2008.

He had been indicted on two counts of weapons possession and one count of reckless endangerment, but under a plea deal reached Aug. 20, Burress agreed to a single, lesser charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

No charges were filed against Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce , who was with Burress the night of the incident, drove him to the hospital and took the gun to his home in New Jersey before arranging to have it returned to Burress.

With time off for good behavior, Burress likely will serve 20 months. He could be released from prison as early as the spring of 2011 and will be monitored an additional two years after he is freed.

Burress hired a consultant to teach him how to use his time in prison productively.

The Giants released Burress in April, but the 32-year-old told ESPN he hopes to resume his NFL career when he completes his sentence.

"When I get out, I'll be 33, not 43," Burress said in an interview broadcast in August. "I'll still be able to run and catch. I'll still have the God-given ability to snag footballs; that's what I love to do. Of course, I want to play again."

Gil Brandt, an analyst on NFL Sirius Radio and the former head of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys, said Burress won't be too old for a comeback when he's released from prison.

"First of all, Plaxico is a guy who keeps himself in pretty good shape," Brandt said. "Lots of times guys get heavy in the offseason. He is not a guy who has done that."

Burress is suspended by the NFL, but the league said he will be reinstated after he completes his prison sentence.

The star receiver played collegiately for Michigan State and in 2000 was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he built a reputation as one of the league's top deep threats. He signed as a free agent with the Giants before the 2005 season.

Burress' big moment with the Giants came when he caught the winning touchdown over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl.

His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, said previously that Burress was thinking of his family — including his wife and young son, Elijah— in taking the plea, but Brafman questioned the fairness of the recommended prison sentence.

"This was not an intentional criminal act," Brafman said the day of the plea. "In my judgment, a two-year prison sentence is a very severe punishment."

Before sentencing Tuesday, Brafman called Burress "a fundamentally decent man."

"This is a very real tragic case in many, many ways," Brafman said.

[ChamberedRound]

Why can't people just follow the law?

Because some people think they're above the law. I love this gem too (emphasis mine):

He had been indicted on two counts of weapons possession and one count of reckless endangerment, but under a plea deal reached Aug. 20, Burress agreed to a single, lesser charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

He didn't ATTEMPT to criminally possess a weapon, he actually possessed a weapon criminally. IMHO, another case of someone with fame and money getting off easy. This one too:

"This was not an intentional criminal act," Brafman said the day of the plea. "In my judgment, a two-year prison sentence is a very severe punishment."

How is carrying a weapon in a city where it's well-known to almost everyone that guns aren't allowed not intentional? This is about as intentional as it gets.

[wa3ra]

Actually, he got the two years that the statute suggests, where most people DON'T...in this case, fame cost him.

The truly sad thing is that HE could have gotten a permit with relative ease, even in Nuevo York City... and probably in New Jersey, too. If his FL permit hadn't expired, he might have gotten 6 months suspended or 1 year supervised.

Two years in prison for being an idiot, and carrying mexican. He's lucky he didn't hurt someone else, or shoot his balls off.

[cgbudde]

I have no sympathy for him. he should have shot his balls off.

[customloaded]

So let me get this straight. This now convicted felon only got two years for the following:
1) Carrying a concealed weapon (handgun) in New Jersey without a permit, loaded
2) Carry a concealed weapon (handgun) in New York City without a permit, loaded
3) Discharged said handgun in a public location
4) Fled the scene where a felony took place
5) Failed to report a shooting and or injury as required by law
6) Crossed state lines, New Jersey to New York with a loaded handgun without a permit or license to do so nor incompliance with NFA, TWICE so thats TWO counts
7) as a Felony suspect from New York, fled into New Jersey

Now, I'm not the smartest man on the block but I think he got off pretty damn easy!!!

Why has he not been charged Federally?

[arjohnson]

He got screwed, if this happened in Pgh he would still be playing football. Since it happened in a commie state he goes to jail.

[knight0334]

Just my opinion, but I think the only thing Burress did wrong was negligently discharging his gun from improper carrying methods.

NY's and NJ's laws on ownership, possession, and carrying should be found unconstitutional and enforcing such laws an act of treason punishable by hanging. ...for that matter, any law anywhere restricting ownership, possession, and carrying like requiring a license/permit, registration, or anything else should be found the same.

[unloved]

He got screwed, if this happened in Pgh he would still be playing football. Since it happened in a commie state he goes to jail.

Just my opinion, but I think the only thing Burress did wrong was negligently discharging his gun from improper carrying methods.

NY's and NJ's laws on ownership, possession, and carrying should be found unconstitutional and enforcing such laws an act of treason punishable by hanging. ...for that matter, any law anywhere restricting ownership, possession, and carrying like requiring a license/permit, registration, or anything else should be found the same.

Agreed. Illegal does not equal immoral. In my view, the only thing Burress is guilty of, is being a dumbass.

[MadamRaven]

Just my opinion, but I think the only thing Burress did wrong was negligently discharging his gun from improper carrying methods.

NY's and NJ's laws on ownership, possession, and carrying should be found unconstitutional and enforcing such laws an act of treason punishable by hanging. ...for that matter, any law anywhere restricting ownership, possession, and carrying like requiring a license/permit, registration, or anything else should be found the same.

i agree. i think he should, as a role model whether he wants to be one or not, have used more common sense. why was this man carrying improperly? what the hell is his problem. he had said that the club security was aware that he was in possession of the gun so does anyone know if the club is being held responsible for the safety of the patrons in the club? If someone walked in to my club with their gun shoved in their pocket or pants, you aren't coming in that way. it's called a holster Plaxico. maybe you can make one up in prison jackass.

[ksig1869]

Just my opinion, but I think the only thing Burress did wrong was negligently discharging his gun from improper carrying methods.

NY's and NJ's laws on ownership, possession, and carrying should be found unconstitutional and enforcing such laws an act of treason punishable by hanging. ...for that matter, any law anywhere restricting ownership, possession, and carrying like requiring a license/permit, registration, or anything else should be found the same.

While I agree wholeheartedly that the laws in those states are unconstitutional, this guy willfully violated the law. He could have used his fame and financial status to challenge NY and NJ law and spread support for the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment. IMHO