Clarett OKs 3 1/2-year prison term

[LTR]

Former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett agreed Monday to plead guilty to aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon. The deal would send him to prison for at least 3 1/2 years and end two criminal cases against him.

The agreement was announced by Judge David Fais on the day jury selection was to begin in a case in which Clarett is accused of holding up two people outside a bar.

The concealed weapon charge was from his August arrest after a highway chase with police who found four loaded guns in Clarett's sport utility vehicle after they spiked the tires. Police used pepper spray to subdue and handcuff Clarett, who was wearing a bulletproof vest.

The deal called for a 7 1/2-year sentence with release possible after 3 1/2 years. The 22-year-old player also agreed to serve five years of probation after the prison sentence.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060918/ap_on_sp_co_ne/fbc_clarett_charges

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Another young man that threw everything away because he wanted

more and more.

[INDIA]

2. What an idiot.

As a D-I athlete he had every opportunity at his disposal. Free education, tutors, housing, great athletic facilities and coaches.

Threw it all away so he could be a "thug." So many would have used his opportunities more wisely.

[Kagemusha]

4. Um along the way he got more free stuff - that he wasn't allowed

That's accepting one too many opportunities. And things went downhill from there.

[WCGreen]

3. I blame Jim Brown for this...

He took the lad under his wing when he was suspended after his freshman year and advised him to play hard ball with OSU...

Well, OSU gave him chances and then the man child said he was leaving OSU, on the advice of Jim Brown...

Suddenly, no Jim Brown, no cash... Desperation.....

You fill in the blanks...

[robcon]

5. He apparently took some Mafia money

This is the story I've read....

When he was in Los Angeles area, he lived high on the hog using money 'borrowed' from the Russian Mafia. When he was drafted in the third round, he turned down standard athletic shoe money for a third rounder, in order to wait for a bigger payoff later.

He thought his first contract would pay off his debts, but he was cut from the team (early in training camp) and now owes the Mafia lots of money. Let's see if he survives prison.

[jobycom]

6. That's the story on why he was wearing a vest and carrying weapons

If it's true, I agree with your concern about him surviving prison.