[NFL] will antonio pierce be charged in the plax incident?

[silverwhisper]

courtesy of a local sportswriter...

short version: burress is gone, may be facing as much as 2 years, and now it appears that MLB antonio pierce may be charged for having taken charge of plax's gun. long version here (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2009/07/ny_giants_linebacker_antonio_p.html).

commentary: honestly, my gut reaction is that pierce shouldn't be charged. technically speaking, he probably did violate the law. OTOH, his role was fairly minor, he's been cooperating fully and i believe he'd be a first-time offender. plus, as a giants fan, i'm not sure i'm processing this objectively.

[carmachu]

Didnt they drop the charges for testifying or cooperating with authorites? I swear they did do...

[silverwhisper]

i think they were considering it, but he's been cooperating. i think this is all being driven by bloomberg's desire to appear tough.

[carmachu]

Pretty stupid to be honest. Why cooperate in teh future if their going to hang you anyway?

[silverwhisper]

cuz bloomberg wants the voters to believe that celebrities don't skate on his watch.

[carmachu]

Bah, we all know they do anyway.

[silverwhisper]

but bloomberg is really serious! he really means it! honest!

[carmachu]

pLAX? yeah I can see getting tough on.

Pierce? Who's cooperating? They cut deals all the time with folks that do. Bloomy has to stop being stupid here.

[silverwhisper]

happily, pierce will not (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast/0-13-15/Giants-statements-on-Antonio-Pierce.html) be charged. plax OTOH rather predictably was (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/burress-is-indicted-on-weapons-charge/?ref=sports) charged: 2 counts of cirminal possession (weapon), a class c offense, & 1 count of reckless endangerment, a class a offense. the weapons charges each carry a minimum sentence of 3.5 yrs.

[Wook]

happily, pierce will not (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast/0-13-15/Giants-statements-on-Antonio-Pierce.html) be charged. plax OTOH rather predictably was (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/burress-is-indicted-on-weapons-charge/?ref=sports) charged: 2 counts of cirminal possession (weapon), a class c offense, & 1 count of reckless endangerment, a class a offense. the weapons charges each carry a minimum sentence of 3.5 yrs.

Plax's plea for mercy and understanding seems to have been based on a CCW permit that was itself expired at the time of the incident. I'm sensing a lack of mercy in his future BUT his lawyer does have a point wrt the impact the mayor and DA have had on his ability to get a fair trial. I'm intersted to see how that aspect of this plays out.

[silverwhisper]

you know, something i hadn't considered: it's possible bloomberg deliberately played the dick in order to accomplish a mistrial.

[Wook]

you know, something i hadn't considered: it's possible bloomberg deliberately played the dick in order to accomplish a mistrial.

Bah. I just think Bloomberg was trying to look tough on crime. That always scores easy points with the voters. Especially when it's a celebrity on the hoof for something. I doubt he was trying to do plax any favors.

[carmachu]

glad to hear pierce isnt being charged.


****:

if I'm reading it right, his permit expired may 2008, and shot himself at teh end of November? He had 6-7 months to renew.

And yes ed, bloomberg is playing dick via guns. HGe's made it clear he is not in favor of handguns or guns in general. Hell look at teh hard time the guy with a flintlock replica is having in NYC....they want him to get a HANDGUN permit for it.

[Wook]

****:

if I'm reading it right, his permit expired may 2008, and shot himself at teh end of November? He had 6-7 months to renew.

And yes ed, bloomberg is playing dick via guns. HGe's made it clear he is not in favor of handguns or guns in general. Hell look at teh hard time the guy with a flintlock replica is having in NYC....they want him to get a HANDGUN permit for it.

Oh I know. I was just saying that was his defense. I think it's a very flimsy one. Had his permit been in good standing and if NY had reciprocity wrt FL then I'd actually be very sympathetic to his plight.

[silverwhisper]

please, let this be the last we discuss anything plax-related for the next few months.

[Wook]

please, let this be the last we discuss anything plax-related for the next few months.

Hardly. Plax is the new Vick! We'll be hearing about this all the way up until he starts serving his sentence. Then there will be all the speculation, for years, about which team would be the best fit when he comes back, etc...

:sawink2:

This is never going away dude.

[silverwhisper]

note to self: root against **** in the fantasy league. :p