Top recruit collapses in court after receiving three-year prison sentence

[Grave Grumbler]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/top-recruit-collapses-court-receiving-three-prison-sentence-141153269--ncaab.html

Instead of sifting through scholarship offers, selecting a school and launching his college basketball career as he originally planned, an Ohio high school standout will have to put his dreams on hold. Tony Farmer, an 18-year-old senior at Garfield Heights High School, received a three-year prison sentence on Tuesday as a result of pleading guilty to kidnapping, felonious assault and other crimes.

The 6-foot-7 forward had been hoping to receive probation after teachers, coaches and family members testified on his behalf. When he learned he'd be going to prison as the judge read his sentence, he crumpled into the arms of a sheriff's deputy and collapsed to the ground in anguish.  In an odd twist, among those in the gallery sobbing in reaction to the judge's decision was the victim herself, Farmer's ex-girlfriend Andrea Lane. Even though the two remain separated since Farmer attacked Lane last April after she didn't want to reconcile their relationship, Lane had previously asked Judge Pamela Barker not to put Farmer in prison.  "I know he was a good person," she said, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I hope he still is."

The entire courtroom scene is depressing and painfully hard to watch because Farmer had such a bright future prior to this incident. Before video cameras caught his altercation with Lane on tape last April in the lobby and parking lot of her apartment complex, Farmer was a consensus top 100 prospect who had drawn interest from the likes of Ohio State, Xavier, Dayton and Michigan State.

The punishment he received from Barker is just, yet severe. Unless Barker reduces Farmer's sentence when she reviews it in 180 days, his hopes of playing major college basketball are likely now over.

[monmouth]

1. No sympathy/empathy for him. A thug who thought he could get away with it because

he could excel in a sport...

[Nuclear Unicorn]

20. I don't know if he thought he could get away with anything while he was doing what he did

but it doesn't matter if his actions were calculating or lost in a moment of an emotional hurricane. However, you are very, very correct in noting the fact he committed a kidnapping and felonious assault and we cannot allow a "celebrity exception" to the law.

[greytdemocrat]

27. Exactly. nt

[bluestateguy]

2. I'm reminded of what happened to the Dallas Carter football stars in 1989

This was a subplot to the book Friday Night Lights. This team beat Odessa Permian in the Texas football playoffs in 1988. The Carter Cowboys were probably the best team in the country that year. They had many boys with Division I scholarship offers. Among them was Jesse Armstead (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessie_Armstead).

Anyway, a bunch of these kids in the offseason decided to go on a robbery spree. After all, the community had always treated them like heroes, so they figured there would be no consequences. They asked Armstead to join in their fun. He refused.

Well, the other boys were caught, lost their scholarship offers, went to jail for several years and never played football again. Unless you count the prison yard pickup games. Jesse Armstead went on to a 10 year career in the NFL; 5 time Pro-Bowler.

[Matt_in_STL]

3. I wish we had an even-handed justice system

In another case, quite similar to this one, the accused was allowed to plead guilty and received a 4 year prison sentence - suspended.

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/ex-michigan-player-corwin-brown-gets-suspended-jail-sentence-in-hostage-case/

[NaturalHigh]

6. Actually, Corwin Brown at least had a defense.

He (and his wife) claimed mental illness caused, or at least aggravated, by football-related head trauma.

Tony Farmer didn't even try to claim a defense. He just thought he would get away with whatever he wanted because of his talent with a basketball.

[nc4bo]

4. This should be shown with the video of him beating his gf.

http://fox8.com/2012/08/22/i-team-surveillance-video-captured-violent-attack-by-farmer/

with volume on as the voice describes the assault not shown.

[formercia]

5. If you can't do the Time, don't do the Crime.

Thinking with your Dick will do nothing but get you in trouble.

[ann---]

7. Boo hoo

he got what he deserved.

[exboyfil]

8. Contrast with the punishment (?) received by

Lawrence Phillips. He basically got to skate on a similar offense and even play in a bowl game for Nebraska. Still in my mind one of the lowest examples in college sports.

Maybe if he received justice then, his future life would not have spiraled so out of control. You just can't beat and drag someone down steps without consequences (unless you can rush for 150+ yards a game that is).

[NaturalHigh]

11. Absolutely.

Lawrence Phillips should have been in a jail cell instead of a bowl game.

[exboyfil]

14. Since the sentence will be reviewed after 6 months

I bet the judge will suspend the rest of the sentence, and he may miss his Freshman year but he will play in 2013-2014. Of course all the fine coaches will see that he just needs to be given another chance (ala Lawrence Phillips). It warms my heart to think my daughter could be going to school with someone like him.

[hifiguy]

13. That made me wonder whatever happened to Phillips.

It ain't pretty, per Wikipedia:

On December 18, 2009, Phillips was sentenced to more than 31 years in prison for attacking his girlfriend and driving his car into three teens. Phillips, California Department of Corrections# G31982, was admitted to the CDCR on October 16, 2008. As of April 22, 2012, he is incarcerated in Kern Valley State Prison. Under California law, since his crimes harmed other persons he must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for time off with good behavior. He will not be eligible for release until he serves 26 years—when he will be 57 years old.

[Blue_Tires]

19. I was thinking the same thing -- If only he waited until college

Many of the college basketball factories would have been able to chisel those charges down to nothing...Farmer may have been 'asked' to transfer, but he never would have seen the inside of a cell...

[NaturalHigh]

9. I can't feel a lot of sympathy for him.

He thought he didn't have to abide by the same rules as everybody else because he can play basketball. His arrogance is made plain by the fact that he didn't even claim any type of defense; he just automatically assumed that he would get probation.

I guess it's his tough luck to draw a judge who didn't care whether or not he could make a jump shot.

[hifiguy]

10. Hope it was worth it, dumbass.

You may have cost yourself tens of millions of dollars. Enjoy prison. You earned your way there.

He can probably go overseas and play once he gets out of the Crowbar Hilton, but he will never see the NBA.

[reflection]

12. Just watched the video of the assault.

And read that he sent the victim threatening texts after the assault.

I hate to see any kid throw 3 years away, especially when he was on the verge of taking his basketball talents to another level, one which would have afforded him the opportunity to become very successful.

But this is a lot more important. The girl was cowering on the floor and he still beat the crap out of her.

The young man needed a reality check and he got one. He'll still be a viable player in 3 years, unless prison turns him into a full-blown monster. Here's hoping.

[exboyfil]

15. I think he already is a monster

Who beats someone like that and not be a monster. 3 years seems ridiculously low anyway, and I bet the sentence will be suspended after six months.

[Comrade Grumpy]

17. Have you done a single day in jail? Three years is a long time.

The sentence seems appropriate, and so does a review of the sentence after six months.

[exboyfil]

22. Did you watch the video of him beating that woman?

After knocking her down, kicking her in the head multiple times, and then dragging her again when she tried to get back into her apartment. He also threatened her later - violating a no contact order. If he gets out of jail in 6 months, I will think that justice was not served. He will be well on his way to following in Lawrence Phillip's footsteps.

I have never struck a woman, and no I have not served a day in jail. Whether his former girlfriend thinks he should go to jail is irrelevant, the man is dangerous and he must answer to society for his actions. This man is an example of why fathers stay up late at night and pray that good men come into their daughters' lives. He was recruited by the school my daughter is planning on attending. I do not like the idea of him being at the same school as my daughter. I hate the sports programs at colleges and their recruitment of individuals like this.

[Liberal_in_LA]

24. Here is video. People are visual. He was done in by video. It's brutal to watch a big guy

beat a small woman.

http://fox8.com/2012/08/22/i-team-surveillance-video-captured-violent-attack-by-farmer/

[reflection]

29. I did a weekend as a stupid young man

And I agree that 3 years is a long time. I would go stark raving mad if I had to do 3 years. The sentence sounds about right considering the brutality I saw though.

[part man all 86]

23. It should have been more time given and yes I have served time in jail.

In fact if it was my sister he had beaten.....

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. Sounds like the judge is giving him more of a chance than he gave that girl.

His case is set to be reviewd in 180 days. If he's good and learns to show some remorse for his actions, he could get it suspended at that time.

The balls I his court again. It depends on his actions.

[spanone]

18. would you feel different if he was a car mechanic?

[Grave Grumbler]

26. I'd feel exactly the same. Namely, that he's a despicable thug

who is is getting off lightly.

[jsmirman]

21. Fool

this is an easy one.

No sympathy. Dude just met reality. We'll find out if he's bright enough to listen to what it's telling him.

[Fumesucker]

25. What a weakling..

Over six and a half feet tall and enormously talented as an athlete, he can beat up a woman but then collapses in court when he'd told he won't be getting away scot free.

I'd have given the asshole another six months for contempt of court for "collapsing" in the courtroom.

[redqueen]

28. This sad story reminded me of this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021175712

[TroglodyteScholar]

30. He should consider himself fortunate

With a beating like that, he could have easily ended up a murderer.

Better not faint like a grandma while he's in prison... might be seen as weakness.

[Terra Alta]

31. I don't feel sorry for him

He made his bed, now he must lie in it. He's lucky he didn't receive a tougher sentence. Hopefully he will learn a good lesson while in prison, and come out a better man.

[TwilightGardener]

32. Oh noes, the world is deprived of a basketball player!! Who gives a shit what this

violent asshole's hobby is? You might as well tell me he collects stamps or snowboards-- I hate the emphasis sports is given in this country, I hate the exalted status athletes are given.