Redskins safety faces up to 46 years in jail

AZHog · Post by **AZHog** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:22 pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2308407

MIAMI -- Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor faces up to 46 years in prison after two additional assault charges were filed against him Friday.

Michael Grieco, an assistant state attorney, said the charges reflect Taylor's alleged threatening of three people with a gun in an armed confrontation over an all-terrain vehicle on June 1.

Taylor, 22, now faces three counts of aggravated assault, each of which carries a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of 15 years in prison. He also faces one misdemeanor battery charge that carries a potential one-year prison term.

Trial is scheduled to begin March 20 for Taylor, a former University of Miami star who signed a seven-year, $18-million contract after being drafted by the Redskins in 2004. He has six interceptions and 120 tackles in his two seasons.

Taylor's attorney, Edward Carhart, said the additional charges surprised him.

"The state has had this case since June and now they're filing these added charges? It's bizarre," Carhart said.

Taylor has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $16,500 bond.

The Redskins lost to the Seattle Seahawks two weeks ago in the NFC playoffs. In a playoff victory against Tampa Bay, Taylor was ejected after spitting in the face of Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman. Earlier in that game, he ran a fumble back for a touchdown.

air_hog · Post by **air_hog** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:25 pm

Oh my God.

Dude, my heart stopped when I saw Sean Taylor's picture.

But then after I read it, things calmed down a bit... but still, 46 Years...

But hey, if OJ can get away with it, I'm sure ST can too.

DaRealistJoka · Post by **DaRealistJoka** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:34 pm

I really dout that he get anything close to 46 if he is found guilty the media is trying to make it sound worst then it really is. You dont get that much time for murder.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:38 pm

People convicted and sentenced to even 3 years can get off without one day in jail. Just an example. It's actually possible he could get sentenced to much more and never step foot in an actual prison as long as he obeys the conditions set forth for probation/parole. I see it everyday for crimes much harsher. Not to mention this is prior to any charges being dropped and some are always dropped.

The Hogster · Post by **The Hogster** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:40 pm

Only thing is in Florida they have a mandatory minimum for his charge so he has to do at least 3 years.

I think he will be acquitted. He has a good lawyer and he should beat this case.

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:41 pm

NikiH wrote:People convicted and sentenced to even 3 years can get off without one day in jail. Just an example. It's actually possible he could get sentenced to much more and never step foot in an actual prison as long as he obeys the conditions set forth for probation/parole. I see it everyday for crimes much harsher. Not to mention this is prior to any charges being dropped and some are always dropped.

Yeah..Niki...but now they're actually adding charges. Why now? Seems a little scarey.

DaRealistJoka · Post by **DaRealistJoka** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:43 pm

NikiH wrote:People convicted and sentenced to even 3 years can get off without one day in jail. Just an example. It's actually possible he could get sentenced to much more and never step foot in an actual prison as long as he obeys the conditions set forth for probation/parole. I see it everyday for crimes much harsher. Not to mention this is prior to any charges being dropped and some are always dropped.

If he is found guilty I hope this would be the case NikiH because the Redskins need this guy. Everybody keep there eyes open because this is big for the offseason.

skinsRin · Post by **skinsRin** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:45 pm

The Hogster wrote:Only thing is in Florida they have a mandatory minimum for his charge so he has to do at least 3 years.

I think he will be acquitted. He has a good lawyer and he should beat this case.

Yeah, he'll beat those charges, nothing will stick and nothing will happen.

patjam77 · Post by **patjam77** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:53 pm

i'll be on pins and needles until this trial is over. he was just blossoming into the best in the league.

Skeletor · Post by **Skeletor** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:57 pm

I hate it that every story brings up the spitting incident. As if to say, "he spits on people? He must be guilty!"

I'm not about to defend Sean Taylor's behavior on or off the field. I have no idea whether he's actually guilty or not but to mention the spitting incident like it has some relevance is just plain stupid.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:03 pm

The Hogster wrote:Only thing is in Florida they have a mandatory minimum for his charge so he has to do at least 3 years.

I think he will be acquitted. He has a good lawyer and he should beat this case.

The madatory minimum is for sentence not for actual time spent in jail. Like I said you could be sitting next to a guy sentenced to 3 years in jail and have no idea because you could do it without spending 1 minutes in jail. And this might be a good thing in Sean Taylor's case. He'd have to report to someone who would keep his behavior in check or he'd have to return to jail.

gay4pacman · Post by **gay4pacman** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:09 pm

the media is so stupid my freind called me trying to say he was going to jail for 46 years....People actualy buy into this stuff and ts crazy.

HTTR

SkinsHead56 · Post by **SkinsHead56** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:33 pm

skinsRin wrote:
The Hogster wrote:Only thing is in Florida they have a mandatory minimum for his charge so he has to do at least 3 years.

I think he will be acquitted. He has a good lawyer and he should beat this case.

Yeah, he'll beat those charges, nothing will stick and nothing will happen.

Of course because the rules don't apply to a talented football player (see thr OJ case). Do not misunderstand I am a Sean Taylor fan on the field. My question is that if I went around waving a gun at people would I get equal treatment? Would I be able to postpone my trial date for a playoff game? Would people in my community be saying I should not go to jail for commiting a gun crime? I am just sick of famous/wealthy people having exceptions made in the legal system (Wynona Rider, Halle Barry, etc). I hope it all works out for ST because he is still a young guy with his entire life ahead of him, not because he plays for the Redskins.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:57 pm

I do think that people need to separate the rights and wrongs of the case from the fact that Taylor is a Redskin. I hope that Taylor gets found not guilty, but that's because I actually hope he's not guilty, rather than because the Redskins need such a good player on the field.

IF he's not guilty, great - then it will have been shown to be a celebrity show trial with no basis in fact.

IF he's guilty, throw him in the slammer. Being a Washington Redskin is not a licence for being a scumbag.

Oh, and I don't think any comparison with the OJ case is doing the young man any favours. My 2 cents

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:58 pm

Hey, look at that - my new avatar is here! Once again, NC43 has done the business.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:59 pm

This sounds to me as if the prosecution is getting desperate, they are throwing as much as possible at him to make something stick so they can save face. They've had ample time to bring additional charges, why do this now?

BernieSki · Post by **BernieSki** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:08 pm

The fact that no shots were fired, no one got injured, and it's his word against the other guys word. The most he will get is Probation before Judgement. Or the case will be put on "Stet Docket" which means that the case is held in an inactive file for a few years and then discarded if nothing further happens.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:12 pm

Fios wrote:This sounds to me as if the prosecution is getting desperate, they are throwing as much as possible at him to make something stick so they can save face. They've had ample time to bring additional charges, why do this now?

I think you nailed it my friend.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:14 pm

JansenFan wrote:
Fios wrote:This sounds to me as if the prosecution is getting desperate, they are throwing as much as possible at him to make something stick so they can save face. They've had ample time to bring additional charges, why do this now?

I think you nailed it my friend.

I said/felt they were getting desperate when they were trying to get that guy from Baltimore to rat him out.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:33 pm

Chris Luva Luva wrote:
JansenFan wrote:
Fios wrote:This sounds to me as if the prosecution is getting desperate, they are throwing as much as possible at him to make something stick so they can save face. They've had ample time to bring additional charges, why do this now?

I think you nailed it my friend.

I said/felt they were getting desperate when they were trying to get that guy from Baltimore to rat him out.

My guess is that it became increasingly clear the original charges had little to no merit so they went back to the grand jury to determine exactly how many things they can throw at him. The DA, in what is likely an act of career-boosting grandstanding that amounts to little more than a total waste of the taxpayers' money, now has a chance to say "blah blah blah he was guilty of this" rather than coming back empty handed.

EA7649 · Post by **EA7649** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:46 pm

i was shocked when i saw it on extremeskins

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 4:29 pm

I have read that 95 percent of cases like this never make it to court...mose are plead out. i all for holding athletes accountable but I'm also for not making a "example" out of them..They should be given the same treatmant as the general publis..no less...no more!

The Hogster · Post by **The Hogster** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 4:38 pm

SkinsHead56 wrote:
skinsRin wrote:
The Hogster wrote:Only thing is in Florida they have a mandatory minimum for his charge so he has to do at least 3 years.

I think he will be acquitted. He has a good lawyer and he should beat this case.

Yeah, he'll beat those charges, nothing will stick and nothing will happen.

Of course because the rules don't apply to a talented football player (see thr OJ case). Do not misunderstand I am a Sean Taylor fan on the field. My question is that if I went around waving a gun at people would I get equal treatment? Would I be able to postpone my trial date for a playoff game? Would people in my community be saying I should not go to jail for commiting a gun crime? I am just sick of famous/wealthy people having exceptions made in the legal system (Wynona Rider, Halle Barry, etc). I hope it all works out for ST because he is still a young guy with his entire life ahead of him, not because he plays for the Redskins.

Trials get pushed back all the time, that is not anything new, it just seems that way with media attention. He is getting treated like any other defendant free on their own recognizance. Since there is a presumption of innocence you have a right to pursue your livelihood if and until the trial happens. If he were a factory worker who was not in custody and presumed innocent, he could also make motions to push the trial back and it's up to the state to oppose the motion.

Usually it's the prosecution that seeks a delay because they often times have a lot on their plate. If anything, that benefits the prosecution because they have more time to prepare their case.

Also, the prosecution did not oppose any of those motions for delay made by the defense. They wanted the extra few months.

The Hogster · Post by **The Hogster** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 4:40 pm

DEHog wrote:I have read that 95 percent of cases like this never make it to court...mose are plead out. i all for holding athletes accountable but I'm also for not making a "example" out of them..They should be given the same treatmant as the general publis..no less...no more!

Exactly...average people commit crimes every day and get plea deals. This prosecutor will fall on his face trying to look like a stud, just like the DA from the Kobe case and the Michael Jackson case.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 5:31 pm

The extra charges were tacked on to scare Taylor & his lawyer, I'll almost guarentee it.

It's total grandstanding by the State's Attorney.