BWC pleads to misdemeanor; consequences limited
As expected, Big Will just needs to pay $2100 damages to the owner of the '03 Lincoln Town Car (did he total it, an '03 town car can't be much more than $2100 in pristine condition!) and stay out of trouble for a year. Glad the courts used common sense in this one:
Mark Dantonio calls this a Thursday
He wishes.
Ugh....
one post. one post until someone has to bring up MSU on this board.
I would have preferred this to be handled privately but at least the felony charge didn't stick.
Handling this privately may not have been an option. Once criminal charges are made, it becomes public and has to be dealt with through the criminal courts.
Your statement suggests that any matter charged needs to be tried. I'm curious as to the basis for your statement (not trying to be combative here - my curiosity is genuine).
I may be dead wrong on this, but I've always thought that a prosecutor can drop a case at virtually any point prior to trial, and sometimes during trial. That's half of prosecutorial discretion (the other half is the discretion as to whether to bring charges in the first place). Sometimes prosecuters feel political pressure to try a case, but they also drop charges all the time. (Witness the Duke LAX case for an example.)
I think you're right but cases are usually dropped because the prosecutor doesn't think there's enough evidence or they don't have a strong case. In the case of the Duke lax players, there was clearly no crime at all. Neither is the case here. Will Campbell obviously did slid across and damaged the car, so I think it would be harder for the prosecutor to drop the case on a purely "boys will be boys" rationale. I think the discretion would be excercised during sentencing, which it sounds like they did do the fair thing and just made him pay for damages.
This matter started because a policeman saw Campbell sliding across the car. This wasn't the car owner spotting Campbell and taddling on him. Once the cop caught him, it was going criminal.
The prosecutor does have the power to drop a case whenever he/she wants, but why would they in this situation? They had a strong case, and they made an easy deal. Technically, they did keep it private for Big Will, because as long as he completes his probation, it will ultimately be suppressed from his record because he is under 21.
Thirty years ago, this would never have made it to criminal court, and BWC would have gone to small claims court if he didn't agree to pay for the damages. Prosecutors are so hungry for "wins" that they don't use common sense or a smidgen of decency when charging people anymore.
When it's a high-profile athlete, they seem to feel the need to show how "tough" and "fair' they are, and that they "aren't showing favoritism." Our system is totally bleeped up, and it only looks to get worse in the future.
I'm glad this was the outcome. Football aside, he didn't do anything malicious. He was just being goofy and stupid and there was a bad outcome. The felony charge was an example of how screwed up the justice system can get.
"He was just being goofy and stupid and there was a bad outcome."
Which of us didn't do something goofy and stupid in our youth with a bad outcome?
I can say with some embarrassment that I did ... and it involved an arrest ... but thankfully no prosecutorial action. (Phew!)
Brings up a quick story -- I was recently called for Jury duty here in Tucson. During jury selection one of the questions asked of all prospective jurors was whether they had ever been arrested or convicted of anything. A fair number answered "yes," including one young man who indicated he'd been arrested for vandalism. He added, "But I got that bit of stupid out of me and it won't happen again." The judge smiled.
I would say the same. Fortunately, the only after effects of my youthful bouts of stupid are some regrets and embarassing stories. But I could just as easily been where BWC is.
If there ever was a time to use the phrase "boys will be boys," I think this is it. He deserves a penalty, which he got, which wont lead to a long term issue as long as he keeps his head on straight. Very reasonable, IMO.
"Boys will be Boys"
Sometimes you just don't realize how big you have grown, and get a little carried away.
He's owning up to his responsibilities and paying restitution. I think he's met all the obligations laid out before him.
The hoods of the cars of the people of AA can rest easily tonight...Seriously, though, this is a perfectly sensible outcome. I mean, it's not like he urinated in public with one of his teammates, like you do if you're in league with Satan.
...Red Berenson takes offense to your urinating in public comment.
But I bet Hoke has something a little more physically challenging in store for BWC.
like 4 stairs per dollar, that would lead to 8400 stairs he has to run in the stadium.
...might be a little hard on the knees and ankles of such a big man. I'd shoot for a dual purpose solution. Something to discourage 2 a.m. Dukes of Hazzard antics while improving strength or better pad level. Two birds; one stone.
hopefully not to strenious...looking at his recent pics, he might lose to much weight and have to slide to DE
LOL. Wait, that was a joke right?
Just in case you're not joking, I don't think that's going to be a concern.
would be to get an hood of a car and have him slide across it from left to right 2100 hundred times. Would be the equivelant of 2100 box jumps. I imagine that would scour the desire to relive the dukes of hazard moment.
KBB value on one of those 2003 Lincolns is in the range of $9,000 - $10,000 (private party value). So... yeah, definitely not totaled.
the rules are in Michigan, but in some states it's 50% of value. Since this will not be an insurance claim, it doesn't matter. If it had, the damage would have been close to total according to KBB.com.
That is trade in value. The calculation would be based on private party value - which is nearly $10K.
Plus, I suspect that figure includes other things like towing fees, loss of use, rental car... all that stuff can add up pretty quick. $2100 is not likely that actual repair cost alone.
You bring up a good point but it's probably not valid here (other than the cost of the rental car).
Apologies if my being lazy means I am totally wrong - but if a 300 LB man slid across the roof of a car while drunk - he could EASILY do $2.1K of damage just to the body of the car - leaving it totally driveable (which would negate any towing fees or loss of use).
New hood, painting hood and both front quarters to match is over $1,000. Assuming he did additional damage to wiring harnesses or headlights, that could be over $2,000. At the end of the day, it's an expensive lesson.
He doesn't matriculate in Columbus, after all...
the impression that their total scholarship package does include some funds that are discretionary. Not 100% sure, however.
Maybe a little help from his parents - even if it's a loan? I mean they didn't have to pay a dime for his college, so they might be able to lend a hand in times like these. Not saying everyone has 2 grand lying around, but the courts are usually good about payment plans and such.
What does this do to our Fulmer Cup score? And how has this not been turned into a GIF yet?
It's already been included in the Fulmer Cup.
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2012/6/5/3065851/fulmer-cupdate-michigan-is-so-hood
Wish it would have been dismissed and handled privately, but I guess if an arrest was made that would have been tough. Good news overall, I'm guessing some running and puking is in the young man's future.
But does anyone know if anyone has any video from Day 1 of the SMSB camp?
Via twitter Ace has posted a couple videos and said a big write up is coming today or in Friday Recruiting tomorrow
Jeep!
Brady shouldn't and probably won't suspend him against Alabama. This is one of these things that you can deal with in fall practices.
Stadium steps seem to be in BWC's future.
What is your avatar from?
My avatar is from an episode of the latest incarnation of "My Little Pony", oddly enough. Specifically, from their 2nd season Halloween episode.
He got an MIP too. This isn't any small deal when you are talking about accountability and standards. I hope he sits out Bama personally. That would send the right message.
on Pinky Braxton Miller