the rix mix

NEW YORK -- Former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty Thursday to a weapons charge and agreed to a two-year prison term for accidentally shooting himself at a Manhattan nightclub.

The ex-wide receiver pleaded guilty to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, a lesser charge than he initially faced. Under a plea agreement, he agreed to a two-year prison sentence and two years of supervised release.

Burress was indicted earlier this month on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment. He faced a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years if convicted at a trial

I know the law is the law. But what do we gain by sending this talented fool to prison instead of using his fame & shame for community service against illegal weapons & gun violence? Do we have to make an example of him & ruin him? He's been doing a pretty good job of ruining himself the past few years, & maybe this was a chance to get straight. I doubt this sentence deters anyone. Instead of warehousing him, we could have him working with kids, as a big brother, giving free football instruction clinics, traveling around to schools. His message: I had it all & I was an idiot. & order him to get counseling. & take away his driver's license. & make him stay home when he's not doing something he's supposed to be doing.

Mandatory sentencing mainly seems to have the effect of filling up prisons with young, anonymous black men who receive an advanced education in criminality, & here the law bagged a celebrity.

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