Michael Phelps Busted by Photo

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Weed = 3 month suspension

Dogfighting = jail


LOL

You realize these aren't comparable, right? Except, in the broadest sense, of a famous person doing something illegal?

Dogfighting/cruelty to animals = felony.

Weed does not = felony in some states. Plus, the criminal justice process hasn't started at all in this.

That's not even getting into weighing the moral/social outrage of one crime (dogfighting and the resulting cruelty to animals) against another.

If you want to give an example of racial disparities in sentencing for crime, you've got about a million better examples than this.

[agzg]

I really doubt that there will be a criminal proceeding in this case. You can tell that it's a bong in the picture, but you can't definitively prove that there's weed in it. So you're left with a picture that potentially questionable and some eyewitness statements.

There won't be a trial. Besides in most states, it's illegal to possess and sell marijuana, not smoke it. If the cops don't catch you selling, possessing, or driving after smoking weed, you can technically be high as a kite.

At least that's the way I always understood it.

Not that I've ever partaken of the wacky tobacky.

[joliebelle]

"We've now learned that since investigators began trying to build a case, they've made eight arrests: seven for drug possession and one for distribution. These are arrests that resulted as the sheriff's department served search warrants"

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9814127

Yes, I live in Richland County, and no, I don't think that this is ridiculous

[CrackerBarrel]

Originally Posted by joliebelle

"We've now learned that since investigators began trying to build a case, they've made eight arrests: seven for drug possession and one for distribution. These are arrests that resulted as the sheriff's department served search warrants"

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9814127

They may have a shot at him for possession of drug paraphernalia but I can't see anything stronger. And you have to realize that this isn't a crime that any other person in any jurisdiction would get prosecuted for based solely on a picture. The sheriff is grandstanding (a run for political office at some point?) and wasting all his department's resources to prosecute a case I don't think he has a chance in hell at winning and at best for him would probably result in a fine of a few hundred dollars.

[jitterbug13]

God, I was hoping it was in Lexington County. What happens at Five Points, should have stayed in Five Points. And this is in the city of Columbia and you see they aren't budging (they know they have other fish to fry).

We've also learned that the department has located and confiscated that bong.

Sources say the owner of the bong was trying to sell it on eBay for as much as $100,000.

YOU IDIOT!!!!

Governor Mark Sanford is also weighing in on the sheriff's actions.

On the FOX News Channel Sunday night, Geraldo Rivera asked Sanford whether Phelps should be prosecuted.

"I don't see what it gets at this point," said Sanford.

His spokesman told us Monday night Sanford is letting that quote stand.

This is the only time EVER I agree with the governor.

[jitterbug13]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

They may have a shot at him for possession of drug paraphernalia but I can't see anything stronger. And you have to realize that this isn't a crime that any other person in any jurisdiction would get prosecuted for based solely on a picture. The sheriff is grandstanding (a run for political office at some point?) and wasting all his department's resources to prosecute a case I don't think he has a chance in hell at winning and at best for him would probably result in a fine of a few hundred dollars.

I agree. Sheriff Lott is one of those sheriffs that works with the deputies all of the time. If there is a call and he is nearby, he will go to the call (and even do the arrest). So most people aren't shocked that he is going after Phelps.

[joliebelle]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

I agree. Sheriff Lott is one of those sheriffs that works with the deputies all of the time. If there is a call and he is nearby, he will go to the call (and even do the arrest). So most people aren't shocked that he is going after Phelps.

Double agreed. None of this shocks me at all...if this had happened in Lexington County, who knows what would have happened.

[PeppyGPhiB]

I think this whole "case" is ridiculous, and a huge waste of law enforcement's time and taxpayers' money.