Before I justify the title of this article, I would like to make one thing clear. Plaxico Burress is a moron for what he did.
There really is no excuse for carrying an unlicensed, loaded handed gun, with the safety switch off in your pants, into a club. He might not have got what he deserved, but you could say he got what was coming to him. He shot himself in the leg.
By now chances are pretty good that you have heard about what occurred in Plaxico Burress' world last weekend, so what I am telling you probably isn't news.
However...
This whole mess got me thinking about my old friend George, who once upon a time was hit by a cab in Toronto while jaywalking. He was taken to the hospital to have his wounds cared for and he eventually made a full recovery.
When he awoke at the hospital after treatment he was shocked to find that the police had come by while he was still unconscious and left him a ticket for jaywalking sitting on the night stand.
Although the charges Plaxico is facing are far more serious than a moving violation, and I think he is guilty as sin, I was a little shocked when I read earlier today that he is facing a mandatory 3-1/2 year prison sentence if he is convicted of carrying an unlicensed handgun.
The guy shot himself in the leg by accident, and now he might go to jail...talk about kicking a guy when he's down.
Now, I don't know about everyone else, but I remember being taught that prison was for people who were a danger to society at large; not for people who are a danger to themselves.
If I'm drunk and speeding and I crash into someone causing them bodily harm, I could go to jail. I was negligent and that negligence led to someone else being killed or injured. Restitution must be paid for that, both to the individual who was injured and to society.
Now, if I'm drunk and speeding and I hit a tree, only doing bodily harm to myself; it would suck, and I'd probably lose my driver's license, but chances of me going to jail would be pretty slim.
Plaxico Burress has certainly demonstrated that he should never be allowed to carry a gun again, or ever be issued another permit to do so, but I don't see how he is a danger to society at large and deserves to be sent to prison for what he did.
He was the only victim of his crime. Some might argue that the New York Giants were another victim. Others might claim it was a blessing for the team. Either way the only real victim here, who also happens to be the suspect, is in fact Plaxico Burress.
Burress is also experiencing something that many celebrities and professional athletes experience when dealing with the justice system. Lawmakers using the media spotlight that follows their suspects to gain exposure for their policies, or to further their own careers.
Let's face it, jailing one Plaxico gets a public official more media exposure and face time than however many hundreds of real criminals that he or she jailed for the same crime, altogether. An opportunity to gain this kind of media exposure without first having screwed up really badly, or having been exposed as corrupt is rare for public officials.
It is not inconceivable that one or two members of the Justice System involved with the case may take advantage of Plaxico`s spotlight and treat him differently than they would an ordinary suspect. Perhaps in order to make a self serving legal or political statement; or even simply to just make an example out of the guy.
Either way I find it odd that Plaxico Burress is facing a mandatory 3-1/2 sentence if convicted for what basically amount to him shooting himself in the leg, and Micheal Vick only got 18 months for running an illegal dog fighting ring and betting outfit.
The media, as usual, has jumped all over this thing and turned it into some kind of twisted social curiosity. Plaxico Burress should be held to account for his actions, but public lashing he is receiving in the media is way, way over the top.
The punishment needs to fit the crime, and that should hold true not only in a court of justice, but the court of public opinion as well.
As much as I view Plaxico Burress' actions as almost nonsensical, a part of me is starting to feel bad for the guy. I think everyone involved—from the courts, to the media, to the NFL, to the fans—should maybe just take it easy on the guy a little bit.
4 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dan Tindal 7 months ago
Not a risk to society? He was "carrying an unlicensed, loaded handed gun, with the safety switch off in his pants, into a club." He could have shot anybody. Its more like being a drunk driver and swerving between cars for a mile before narrowly missing a minivan full of children; and then striking a tree.
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Stove Pipe 7 months ago
He hasn't even been arraigned yet guys, there's no need to speculate on what jail term he might be given. The real punishment for him will be no more NFL pay days for a long time, if ever. It's sad that guys like Plax, who have the world by the balls can't seem to figure out how to stay out of trouble. The Giants are better off without him, even if they fail to repeat this year.
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Robert B 7 months ago
I disagree with this piece, even the part about drunk driving. You'd still get a conviction by the laws of the state for DWI , just not with a manslaughter charge. Plaxico is LUCKY he didn't kill somebody. It could have been worse. He should be thankful as hell nobody died and start apologizing morning 'till night. If he has some savings, he serves his sentence, gets out early for good behavior and retires with his cash. That's a hell of a lot better than a lot of people who get caught up in the system.
Yeah, it sucks to maybe be out of the NFL, but he did that to himself.
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Graeme Frisque 7 months ago
Man... you people are harsh. To your knowledge, has Plaxico Burress ever committed a felony before? Does the man have a lengthy criminal past that nobody knows about, or maybe I just don;t know about!? The guy made one bad decision and paid a pretty hefty price... Now society has to make him pay again, and again... and again?
He needs to be punished to some degree for sure, but must the people really see this man completely destroyed for this? If this wasn't so ridiculous it would be funny!
Think about it... if you heard a story about some random dude that did this to himself... you'd laugh. It was a moron thing to do and moron things that people do are usually hilarious.
I am in no way offended by Plaxico Burress' actions, nor do I find him scary or dangerous in any way... especially on the footall field!(sorry, had to get that one iin there! I'm a Pats fan!).
Yes, he was lucky that he didn't hurt anyone else... but don't treat the guy like he was carrying the gun to rob a liquor store, or shoot someone in the club or something. Sure, he had other options, the best one probably being to stay home that night; but he didn't.
Was what he did safe... no? But it wasn't malicious either; and intent still has to count for something these days. We've all made mistakes, and we've all been given second chances... Why doesn't Plaxico Burress deserve the same? It's not like we're talking about Pacman Jones here...
A guy decided to go out for a few drinks with a friend one night. He decided to bring his gun for which he had no license and had taken no care to secure in a safe manner... His carelessness led him to shooting himself in the leg. It is what it is... and people shouldn't make it more just because Plaxico Burress is who he is.
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