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Plaxico Burress: Indicted on under strict New York gun law
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Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, left, arrives at
Manhattan criminal court with his attorney Benjamin Brafman,
Wednesday, July 29, 2009, in New York. Burress arrived to testify before
the grand jury that's investigating a weapon charge against him.
(AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
We all know Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in November in a Manhattan nightclub and he’s been recently indicted for possessing an illegal firearm a few days ago. Burress’ former New York Giant teammate Antonio Pierce, who took Burress to the hospital for treatment, himself briefly had possession of the gun. Surprisingly to some Pierce wasn’t charged but Burress wasn’t so lucky.
How did Pierce escape charges but Burress wasn’t as fortunate?
If both men were in possession of the illegal weapon at various points of that November evening it’s plausible to assume both should’ve received repercussions of some sort. But it appears Burress was the man the district of attorney wanted. It seems like they got their man.
In any event, the New York gun law is too simply too severe. One is left to wonder what are the legal precedents set with this particular law. What’s the age and race of those who have been convicted under this law in recent years?
Let’s look at the law with respect to football players as of late and the crimes they’ve committed, (Burress won’t be sentenced until September) and the time spent behind bars.
Michael Vick funds a gambling ring and assists in killing some dogs and he gets 23 months of federal time.
Donte Stallworth kills a human being and gets 30 days in jail but serves only 24 days. He also has two years of house arrest.
Burress accidentally shoots himself in the thigh and he’s likely going to prison for a minimum of 3 ½ years.
What’s wrong with this picture?
A human being dies yet the person who killed him serves only 24 days? A man shoots himself in the thigh and faced 3 ½ years of prison time?
If we are going to have a legal system shouldn’t it strive for equality in terms of administration of justice?
With respect to Burress ultimately he brought this whole fiasco on himself. If he simply would’ve registered his weapon and exercised better judgment he’d quite possibly be in training camp some place by now. Instead he waits until September to learn of his fate in a Manhattan courtroom.
Also, Burress shouldn’t have testified on his behalf. He should’ve remained silent and got more competent legal council. Not only can everything he said during his recent testimony be used against him, it will be used against him.
Mayor of New York City, Michael R. Bloomberg certainly helped in getting an indictment in suggesting “Plax” should get the “max.” Bloomberg created an atmosphere that made a conviction not only feasible but likely when he stated “it would be an outrage if we didn’t prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.” Burress’ fate was all but signed, sealed, and delivered.
Bloomberg is a strong proponent of the strict New York gun law. Frankly speaking Burress literally doesn’t have a leg to stand on. The Burress case is being utilized by Bloomberg as a poster-boy and example of what can happen if you break the gun law. The example is even the high-profile, Super Bowl champion winning wide-receive in his prime won’t evade the law.
Ultimately Burress has no one to blame but himself. He could’ve used better judgment by simply registering his gun with the state. Secondly, athletes who don’t use body guards potentially put themselves in harms way. Hiring some bodyguards would negate the idea of considering having a gun while you are in the public eye.
Too late for Burress now.
Sadly Burress in all likelihood is going to spend the prime years of his football life in a cell wondering what he could have done differently.
Yes, the law is the law. Yes, Burress has no one to blame but himself. But the New York gun law is more criminal than it is just.
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