Leonard Little issue

[redwagonskins]

sportscrumudgeon, it's like you're in tune with Law & Order or something. Ok, you are right, if he is found GUILTY then ban him. it's hard to give the benefit of the doubt to a guy who already killed someone but you are definitely correct.

[skinsfanthru&thru]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[RedskinRat]

The guy has a problem. He needs to get some kind of rehab going. Once can be a tragic accident, bad circumstance, but a second is a crime (if he's found guilty). Nobody wins in this case.

[Daseal]

Oh, by the way, it does not matter what his blood alchohol level was. If he is convicted of DWI, there will have to be convincing evidence introduced to show that he was over the legal limit in that area.

At least in Virginia the DUI law is ambigious and they can give you a DUI if you blow a .01 or above. How well it will stand up in court I don't know, but I know a girl that blew a .03 and they were able to give her a DUI offense. Now, she had a bad lawyer, but .03 is like 1/2 a beer.

I think that if he is guilty then there should be a severe backlash, but I'd like to know more about the case before I say exactly as to what.

[Norman_Einstein]

I don't understand why this guy's job has anything to do with it. Just put him in jail and the job thing works itself out. Just because a guy commits a crime, he can't make a living after the sentence is fulfilled?

[Ade Jimoh Fan Club]

I think we should be looking at it from a different angle -

I mean, (IF he is guilty) being banned from the NFL is a no brainer.

However, he should be playing butt-darts in prison for a good amount of time for being a 2d time offender on something this serious - and a dumbass.

It's time for the Pro Leagues to crack down on their criminals... it's getting out of hand...

[MTK]

To me, what he blows isn't the issue here. I'm just looking at the fact he got behind the wheel, again, after drinking. His behavior is just inexcusable considering he was responsible for killing someone previously.

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

First of all, Leonard Little is not yet guilty of his second DWI. Please repeat after me:
Innocent until proven guilty in a court of law...
Now, IF he is found guilty of DWI on this occasion after his previous DWI that resulted in the death of another human being, then he should be banned from the NFL permanently and sentenced to whatever the maximum penalty that the law allows in the jurisdiction where he commited this violation.
Oh, by the way, it does not matter what his blood alchohol level was. If he is convicted of DWI, there will have to be convincing evidence introduced to show that he was over the legal limit in that area.
But, please reserve some measure of "presumption of innocence" at this point.

Good point about presumption of innocence. Mr. Little could be found not guilty on a technicality. For example if the chain of custody on evidence like blood from a blood test to determine his sobriety was broken. Or if he was not read his rights when he was arrested. A good lawyer can get him off if one mistake was made and you know he will have the best representation money can buy. I remember Bruce Smith was found not guilty in VA beach several years ago.
However it would have to be a technicality to get him off. I know very little about Mr. Little's arrest. I read he was pulled over for speeding, at which point the officer determined he was under the influence. The fact he was initially pulled over for speeding will prevent his lawyer from claiming he was needlessly pulled over.
Mr. Little either failed a breath test, blood test or refused to submit to one of these tests.
Either way it does not look good unless the police made a mistake.

[jellicoboy]

I was one of Leonards roomates at UT and continue to stay in touch with him. I usually go to his house about twice a year and have a good relationship with him. I really done understand how he could have done this. When I heard this I couldn't and still cant believe he did this. When we were in school he was such a great guy. He was such a leader and never would drink or smoke weed like most other athletes. He never wanted to take a chance on hurting his career and setting a bad example. I can honestly say when he was involved in his first accident in st louis I know he was devistated as he should have been, what he did was very stupid and cost someone their life. I am going to say something that is going to sound stupid but this guy is one of those guys that never drinks, it was his birthday and his fellow linebackers took him out and got him trashed, he didnt know how to respond because the guy never drinks and made the mistake of his life. After that happened he seemed to be a different person, when we drove up to see him he would call numerous times before we arrived to make sure nothing had happened. In this last year I really thought that things were no different until I heard he had gotten a DUI. I still live in Knoxville and I talk with him about every 3 months or so. I was amazed to hear this! I can not believe he did something this unthoughtful. He could have easily have killed someone else and I know he knows that. I love this guy like a brother but its soo hard to see him make this mistake. I actually think the best thing that could happen to him would be for him to be banned from football permantly. He needs to be humbled.
D

[Daseal]

Jelli - I think a permenent ban from football is a bit of a stretch. He's made mistakes, and I think a year would be plenty to really send a message. If you truly are a friend of his, please talk to him. He'll need help right now. If he ever plans on going out, tell him to leave his car and grab a cab! Get a hotel room - he can afford it! Tell him to do anything but drive if at all possible. I think as fans we hate to see anything bad happen to these guys, especially the ones as talanted as Leonard.

[SKINSnCANES]

yea thats weird that you know him so well and want me banned, expecially if he doesnt drink that much and seems to have really bad luck with it. My best friend has a drinking problem and is a rock star, but i dont think he should have to end his career because of it. Granted hes never hurt anyone but still.

[EEich]

Originally Posted by Daseal

I feel that the penelty for most DUIs are a little overboard. However, toss repeat offenders into jail. Anyone know what he blew? Because a .08 for a guy with his mass probably is like one of us drinking OJ in the morning. Either way, he should be stiffly penelized.

Why should you have to be a "repeat offender" before you get punished? Is it any less wrong the first time?

[Paintrain]

I think he needs to be suspended from the NFL for a year and have his DL suspended for 3 years. He obviously didn't learn his lesson the first time from killing someone.. I don't know what he needs to have happen before he realizes that he doesn't need to drink and drive, but something better turn that lightbulb on before he kills someone else.

[Carnage]

UNSUBSTANTIATED RUMOR TIME!
I live in Leonard's hometown of Asheville NC. A reporter friend of mine told me once that the police have fought with him, while high on crack, so many times that they have a "death warrant" on him, and have told him to stay away or he will die in custody.
Take it for what it is.

[Daseal]

Why should you have to be a "repeat offender" before you get punished? Is it any less wrong the first time?

EEich - I bet you've had a couple drinks and then driven before. You think they should lock you up and toss away the key? I don't. I think people make mistakes, and even one sip can get you a DUI if the cop wants to be an asshole. The sobriety test is absolutely ridiculous. Mainly the alphabet part. Give me a pen and paper sober and I can do the alphabet backwards. Otherwise it takes quite some time. I think that there should be a penelty for first offense (depending on the situation) but not one that cripples someone for life. Second offense maybe a little jail time for a wake up call.