Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=jsarno;577633]We do not punish harshly for "what if" crimes, we punish harshly for actual crimes. Just like a first DUI offender gets more of a slap on the wrist...but IF he killed someone (and his name was not stallworth) he'd go to jail for a LOOOONG time. There are all sorts of "what if" scenarios. We ALL speed, so "what if" we sped and lost control and hit someone? We would be punish MUCH more severely than if we got a speeding ticket.

Punish the crime, not the potential crime.[/quote]
Nice post Sir :)

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=Lotus;577654]I essentially agree with you. Killing should be punished much more harshly than potential killing. The point I was trying to make is hidden in your comments, though. Notice that we do punish drunk drivers, even if they don't injure anyone, on the principle that they could have. We do, in fact, punish potential crimes, because that is what drunk driving laws are all about.[/quote]

I absolutely agree with you, but remember you only lose your license for a little while, and usually serve NO jail time if you get a DUI...but if you had a DUI AND killed someone, you're put away for a while. What I am saying is, the guy that doesn't hurt anyone, or kill anyone with a DUI get's punished, but very lightly. Plax deserved to be punished VERY LIGHTLY. Community service, or even a week or two in jail. Not 2 years and end his career. What is he gonna do when he gets out? There is no way the punishment fits the crime in this case. No way.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=Giantone;577635]You keep forgeting one very important fact,the victim..."contributory negligence"(there is a vidio). There was no malice by Sallworth(stupidity,yes)....he can do more good for the Family of the victim out of jail then in it.[/quote]

I'm confused...how was there malice with Plaxico? You are implying he deserves this punishment due to his malicious intent, but he didn't have malicious intent.
Plaxico could have done many public service announcements too, and been a poster for everyone. Putting him in jail really doesn't dissuade athletes from doing this. They will continue to carry guns. They will just have to be more careful of the dumb laws in NY.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

I agree that the sentence seems a little harsh.. but... wasn't Plax aware of the law in New York? Even if he wasn't, ignorance is no excuse to a judge and it was my understanding that there is a mandatory sentence if found guilty. Is this incorrect?

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

53 Fan:

You are correct! If found guilty at trial there was a mandatory minimum sentence of 42 months in jail staring at him. (That is 3.5 years in case anyone's calculator isn't working.)

The charge was [B]carrying an unregistered concealed handgun[/B]. No charges involving injuries or intentions or any of that feelgood stuff were on the table. What Burress would have had to show a jury beyond a reasonable doubt was that he was not [B]carrying an unregistered handgun that night[/B].

Go back and read the press reports and you will see why his lawyer said the case was almost indefensible. And so he "got off easy" with only a 2 year plea deal; if he had continued to pretend he was innocent - - [B]meaning he never did carry an unregistered handgun in NYC [/B]- - he would probably have done 42 months in the slammer.

Comparing Burress' sentence to Stallworth's or Leonard Little's or Michael Vick's or even OJ's is comparing apples to oranges. They were charged with different crimes in different jurisdictions with different sentencing structures surrounding potential convictions.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

Sidenote: The Colts lead the Iggles 23-7 with 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=53Fan;577673]I agree that the sentence seems a little harsh.. but... wasn't Plax aware of the law in New York? Even if he wasn't, ignorance is no excuse to a judge and it was my understanding that there is a mandatory sentence if found guilty. Is this incorrect?[/quote]

Yes, you are correct...but how come there isn't a "mandatory sentence" for killing someone will intoxicated? Maybe there was and it was ignored...not sure...but I find it odd there is such a law to avoid guns, but not if you kill someone.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=53Fan;577673]I agree that the sentence seems a little harsh.. but... [B]wasn't Plax aware of the law in New York?[/B] Even if he wasn't, ignorance is no excuse to a judge and it was my understanding that there is a mandatory sentence if found guilty. Is this incorrect?[/quote]

Good point, and it speaks to a question that I've always had about the case: why didn't Burress register the gun? If he wants heat for protection, then fine, register the gun and make it legal. It's not like he couldn't afford a gun license.

It also seems to me that if he wanted protection, a bodyguard would have been a better choice than packing heat.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

Well there are varying conditions to killing someone while intoxicated. Did being intoxicated directly lead to the persons death? I'm sure Stallworth got a DUI but did his being intoxicated lead to that mans death? There is no doubt whatsoever that Plax broke the law. None. I think your biggest gripe is that for the laws Plax broke, the punishment is too severe in New York. That may be, but that's the way the people of New York want it. If you steal in Iran you may get your hand cut off. Severe? Yes. But that's the law so it's probably not a good idea to steal there.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=Lotus;577682]Good point, and it speaks to a question that I've always had about the case: why didn't Burress register the gun? If he wants heat for protection, then fine, register the gun and make it legal. It's not like he couldn't afford a gun license.

It also seems to me that if he wanted protection, a bodyguard would have been a better choice than packing heat.[/quote]

It all boils down to what kind of person he is. Obviously he should have registered the gun. Obviously it's smarter to hire security than go in strapped by yourself. Also, it's obvious he should care about his teammates and coaches, showing up on time, practicing, etc etc. Otherwise he wouldn't have been fined dozens of times.

He did none of the above. He's a selfish, arrogant jerk.

As someone pointed out earlier, there's a reason the Steelers let him walk and didn't bat an eye (or miss a beat for that matter).

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=jsarno;577558]Which is why we might not see the end of this. Plaxico can and is argueing that others had this happen and not getting the same sentence, but since the MAYOR and other high up officials came out against him, he was doomed.
I personally do not feel he should spend a minute in jail...the right to bear arms should be enough to supercede any state law. (but I understand that opens a huge can of worms on here)

I think if I were him, I'd take all that money I already accrued and take off to some foriegn island somewhere never to be heard from again. I'm not going to prison for something that dumb. Here Stallworth ACTUALLY KILLS a man (yes he darted out in front of his car, but the arguement could be made, if sober there would be a different outcome) and Stallworth gets 30 days? Plaxico carries a gun (which is a right) and shoots himself, no one else, and he gets 2 years? Nope...wouldn't serve that time.[/quote]

He didn't take care of business and register the gun. I think it's stupid as hell that he's getting 18-20 months. But I can't feel sorry for a guy who doesn't take care of his business and that's pretty much been Plax's story his whole career.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

I guess people are failing to realize Vicks punishment was too harsh in and of itself. MV would never have gotten the punishment he got had he complied with the local police. He most likely would have gotten a fine of $500 and some community service (the same punishment people get everyday in VA courts for these same charges). The fact that he failed to help local police and the Feds stepped in he faced Federal laws and Federal punishment.

I can understand PETA being upset at the laws and miniscule punishments however comparing MV's punishment with other people who have done the same thing ....he has paid the price 3 fold. PETA should be content and ignore him and move on.

As far as Stallworth situation, with people everyday trying to beat the yellow light before it turns red it's hard to say the victim never would have been killed by a sober driver. I guess if he stumbles on to the metro tracks we should put the driver of the train behind bars for a few yrs cause he took a life.

OJ was guilty. A lot of evidence was not allowed during trial that would have put him away. After the fact the jurrer's have said had they had the info the general public had they would have found him guilty.

Buress is just an idiot. He got the minimum sentence for the crime "he" committed. It's hard to compare punishments from different states with similar charges let alone different charges. Had he done this in VA he would have been facing more charges. Carrying a concealed weapon with out a license, carrying a weapon into a bar, most likely the bar was in a non shooting zone, wreckless handling of a fire arm. I'll admit he only hurt himself...no big deal. Had someone been breaking into his house and he ran to get the gun and this happened ....no big deal. Out side the home where people with guns put others at risk, especially when not secured properly (obviously not handling it correctly whether drunk or not causing his injury) is an issue. He had it in his waist band.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=jsarno;577671]I'm confused...how was there malice with Plaxico? You are implying he deserves this punishment due to his malicious intent, but he didn't have malicious intent.
Plaxico could have done many public service announcements too, and been a poster for everyone. Putting him in jail really doesn't dissuade athletes from doing this. They will continue to carry guns. They will just have to be more careful of the dumb laws in NY.[/quote]

Never said there was with Plax, you brought up Stallworth and that is who we were speaking about at the the time.But there was malice with Vick.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/virginia/dp-fbn--marcusvick-jail0820aug20,0,4953339.story]Meanwhile[/url]

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

in MD there is a 5yer mandatory minimum if you use a handgun in the commision of a violent crime (robbery, assault, kidnapping, etc).

if you use a gun, your going down. if you carry a gun on you in public in NY, your going down. imo this man. min. in NY probaly helped clear alot of gun packing gang bangers who now know not to carry heat all the time.

like jack said in the departed, they dont carry automatic weapons b/c theres a mandatory life sentence. these rules work.

go skins!!

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=SmootSmack;577735][url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/virginia/dp-fbn--marcusvick-jail0820aug20,0,4953339.story]Meanwhile[/url][/quote]

Oh those crazy Vicks! :smashfrea When's their reality show coming out?

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=SmootSmack;577735][URL="http://www.dailypress.com/news/virginia/dp-fbn--marcusvick-jail0820aug20,0,4953339.story"]Meanwhile[/URL][/quote]

Momma Vick should get some time for raising two criminally-idiotic sons.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

If you believe in a higher being why would he waste all of that talent on someone who wasn't going to use it?

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=Angry;577793]If you believe in a higher being why would he waste all of that talent on someone who wasn't going to use it?[/quote]

It's a persons choice what they do with their talent. He's the one wasting it. If I pay for your education and you decide to become a beach bum, don't blame me.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

The higher being made us the dominant species on earth by giving us freedom of choice.

He may give us abilities, but he also lets us choose how to use/abuse/ignore them.

Clever, that fellow.

Plaxico, like too many in the NFL, made bad choices.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=Angry;577793]If you believe in a higher being why would he waste all of that talent on someone who wasn't going to use it?[/quote]

Free will.

We're stupid beings that abuse it.

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[quote=Buster;577792]Momma Vick should get some time for raising two criminally-idiotic sons.[/quote]

:lol:

Re: Plaxico Agrees To Two Year Jail Term
 

[url=http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4420733]E:60 Preview: Plaxico Burress Interview - ESPN Video - ESPN[/url]