Burress plead guilty to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon and is expected to be sentenced to two years in state prison in September.  Burress’ attorney Benjamin Brafman expressed disappointment that the judge suggested such a lengthy sentence:

 

“This was not an intentional criminal act,” Brafman said. “In my judgment, a two-year prison sentence is a very severe punishment.” [...]

 

“If Plaxico Burress were not a high-profile individual, there never would be a case,” he said. “If he were just John Q Public he could have walked out of the club and he never would have been arrested.”

 

I tend to agree with Brafman. I happen to know someone who had the misfortune of shooting himself in public, without a license for his gun. He went to the hospital, got stitched up, answered a few run-of-the-mill questions from the police and went home. He didn’t go to jail, he wasn’t even charged with anything.

 

Of course, Plaxico Buress is not “John Q Public,” not even close. But neither is Donte Stallworth, and he somehow only got 30 days for DUI manslaughter, plus he’s allowed to train during house arrest. It doesn’t seem to make sense, but I guess instead of trying to figure out why certain players get sentenced the way they do, we should focus on why so many players continue to get in trouble in the first place. Your guess is as good as mine.

 

Earlier: Stephon Marbury’s Demise: Blame it On Stupidity, Oprah and Fear

Earlier: TI and Michael Vick: A Tale of Two Publicists

Tags: Donte Stallworth, Plaxico Buress, Sentencing