Giants Suspend Burress Over Shooting

Facing Weapons Charges, Super Bowl Star Gets Benched For Rest Of Season

(CBS/AP)  Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress is done for the year.

The Giants fined and suspended Burress on Tuesday after he accidentally shot himself in the right thigh over the weekend at a Manhattan nightclub.

The wide receiver was charged with illegal weapons possession Monday, and on Tuesday the Giants placed him on the reserve non-football injury list.

Burress spent much of Tuesday at Giants Stadium facing the possibility his career with the Super Bowl champions could be over, while police were still trying to sort out the events surrounding the Manhattan nightclub shooting.

The star receiver drove up to the stadium tunnel, one day after he was charged with illegal gun possession. Burress was required to be there because he is on the active roster and injured. He left after about six hours.

Police said the Giants sent an official who deals with player issues and two trainers who provided information about the shooting, but they are still waiting to speak to more informed witnesses.

Burress spent six hours at Giants stadium for medical treatment today but left with several giant-sized questions still up in the air, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor.

First is whether the Super Bowl star will wind up doing time over the gun.

Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg with an unlicensed semi-automatic pistol. Not the first athlete to carry a concealed weapon, but Burress is the first to incur the wrath of a big city anti-gun mayor who just last year posted thousands of signs warning against illegal guns, Glor reports.

"I think it would be an outrage if we don't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Under New York state law, if convicted, Burress would face a mandatory three-and-a-half years in prison.

"He chose to do this in the wrong city at the wrong time," says CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen. "In a place where they take handgun possession very seriously and where they've made it more difficult (to get a legal gun) and more serious a crime (to have an illegal one).

The second unanswered question comes from the hospital that treated Burress, Glor reports. A highly recognizable, 6-foot, 6-inch local superstar was somehow able to check himself into a big name hospital, New York's Presbyterian, under the assumed name Harris Smith. Why didn't the hospital report the gunshot - as required by law?

"It's a misdemeanor, it's a chargeable offense and I think the district attorney should certainly go after the management of this hospital," Mayor Bloomberg said.

The hospital says it has already suspended one employee and said today that there may be "further disciplinary action."

The third unanswered question involves one of Burress' teammates. Police are looking into whether fellow Giant Antonio Pierce, who left the club with Burress' gun, should be charged with obstructing justice.

Whatever happens, Burress' cocoon of privilege has imploded, Glor reports.

Appearing in his regular Tuesday afternoon spot on Sirius NFL Radio, Pierce declined to answer questions about the shooting.

"It's not appropriate with the police being involved. ... I've got to be strong," he said. "I've got to stay my course and deal with my attorney and deal with the officials who tell me what to do. I've got to go about my business and when I get to work, I've got to go about my work."

Burress was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, which could result in a prison sentence of 3½ years to 15 years if convicted.

But it's possible he could avoid prison entirely if he pleads guilty to a lesser charge, getting probation and community service. Such plea deals and sentences are frequent in New York for first-time offenders.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke out again Tuesday, saying he talked to Giants owner John Mara and Goodell. He told them then law says "you see something, you got to call the cops. That's the thing you should do."

Bloomberg also said the state should consider revoking the liquor license of the nightclub, the Latin Quarter, for allowing Burress to enter with a gun.

The New York Police Department has expressed frustration with the NFL and the Giants. Police said they were promised Pierce would appear Monday at the same police precinct where Burress surrendered, but Pierce has not shown.

"After the events in question, Mr. Pierce did what any other reasonable person would do under the circumstances, he hired counsel," Pierce's lawyer said. "After we were hired, I was in immediate and direct contact with the DA's office."

Bachner said he hasn't been notified that Pierce will be charged.

"Mr. Pierce, given the extraordinary circumstances of that evening, acted responsibly in trying to save what could have been the life of a friend," Bachner said.

[stupidrules3]

Truthrocks,
Why aren''t you griping about the billions of "your" money wasted in the war on drugs? What about the billions wasted on welfare for people who could work but are too lazy? What about the billions wasted on wars that we had no business starting? What about the billions wasted on political campaigns to elect more crooks? How about the millions wasted on gravel roads in Alaska that go nowhere? What about the billions spent bailing out the crooks in the mortgage industry and soon the billions that will be wasted on the dinosaurs in the auto industry?

[mastersgts]

"Much of the problem is free and easy access to guns," Rosenfeld said. "This hope that by putting guns in the right hands will have an influence on criminals is a false hope. There''''s no evidence for that." I close my case!~ Posted by truthrocks

So what happens when ONLY the criminals have guns? The evidence is that the police cannot protect you.

[inketolstoy]

dmjakers - You said it. In American politics, (not just New York) it seems to be more important what you say than what you do. Until we get smart and let them know we are paying atttention, we will continue to be led by power grubbing mediawhores. Maybe next week we can hold a congressional hearing on Britney Spears or Linsay Lohan. That will keep the people from paying attention to how we "spend" a billion dollars bailing out corprupted America.

[blackyowe]

They should can him and he should go to prison for an illegal hand gun in Florida!

Bloomberg''s priorities:
Citigroup takes $50 billion of taxpayer money, then less than 3 weeks later fires (lays off) 75,000 NY workers who worked hard and thought they''d get pensions.
Bloomberg says nothing.
Some comparatively insignificant moron shoots HIMSELF (not even other people).
Bloomberg holds MAJOR press conference, declares moron must receive maximum sentence, despite that moron hasn''t even had the benefit of a trial, much less been found guilty.
And I though Karl Rove was the king of the SMOKESCREEN. Are New Yorkers THAT stupid????? Are New Yorkers so incredibly devoid of living brain cells that they cannot see that one idiot who has hurt only himself -- destroyed his OWN CAREER -- taken money out of his OWN pockets, is meaningless in comparison to Bloomberg''s FRIENDS and compatriots at Goldman Sachs, who right after receiving $10 billion of taxpayer money announced they will pay out $6.5 BILLION in BONUSES?
New Yorkers!!!!! Please, tell me, you are not that ridiculously stupid. I''m asking you, because I want to believe in you. I don''t want to think you will elect Bloomberg to a third term after this unbelievably insulting gesture.
Keep silent New Yorkers, only if you ARE as stupid as BLOOMBERG says you are. If you are as smart as I think you are, go downtown tomorrow (peacefully) and demand that Bloomberg resigns immediately.

Bloomberg''s priorities:
Citigroup takes $50 billion of taxpayer money, then less than 3 weeks later fires (lays off) 75,000 NY workers who worked hard and thought they''d get pensions.
Bloomberg says nothing.
Some comparatively insignificant moron shoots HIMSELF (not even other people).
Bloomberg holds MAJOR press conference, declares moron must receive maximum sentence, despite that moron hasn''t even had the benefit of a trial, much less been found guilty.
And I though Karl Rove was the king of the SMOKESCREEN. Are New Yorkers THAT stupid????? Are New Yorkers so incredibly devoid of living brain cells that they cannot see that one idiot who has hurt only himself -- destroyed his OWN CAREER -- taken money out of his OWN pockets, is meaningless in comparison to Bloomberg''s FRIENDS and compatriots at Goldman Sachs, who right after receiving $10 billion of taxpayer money announced they will pay out $6.5 BILLION in BONUSES?
New Yorkers!!!!! Please, tell me, you are not that ridiculously stupid. I''m asking you, because I want to believe in you. I don''t want to think you will elect Bloomberg to a third term after this unbelievably insulting gesture.
Keep silent New Yorkers, only if you ARE as stupid as BLOOMBERG says you are. If you are as smart as I think you are, go downtown tomorrow (peacefully) and demand that Bloomberg resigns immediately.

[slim1h2o]

And yet another moronic post by thruthsuxx...

[slim1h2o]

libsRcrooks at 07:44 AM : Dec 03, 2008

Never heard of the guy. Like I SAID, if there''s another Billy Martin.... BTW, I wasn''t trying to be a smart aleck, dumbazz.

[stupidrules3]

What a maroon.... It is illegal almost everywhere tp carry a gun into an establishment that sells alcohol, even with a permit. Accidentally shooting yourself can only be done by improperly handling a gun. This guy broke multiple laws and should be made to pay.

[adfolder]

Maybe Bush will pardon him too.

[slim1h2o]

Posted by libsRcrooks at 04:36 AM : Dec 03, 2008

Are you sure you are not refering to Jessie or Al?

Billy Martin(manager of the Yankees) has been dead for a very long time, unless there''s another Billy Martin out there that I''ve never heard of.

Or did I wake up in some time warp this morning? LOL

Burress is getting exactly what he deserves. All high profiles cases must get the maximum or anarchy will reign. If all parents were like Archie Manning and Olivia this would never happen.

[airboatboy1]

Who did he hurt? He accidently shot himself.
That was all he did. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by ramos937 at 07:00 PM : Dec 02, 2008

You know, your right. The law should read you can carry a weapon only if your gonna shoot yourself. And in a bar or a club it shouldn''t have to be concealed, then everyone could sit around and see who might be shootin'' themselves next. And maybe during happy hour you could be allowed to take just one quick shot at anyone else who had a weapon just to liven things up a little bit.

[slim1h2o]

Posted by libsRcrooks at 02:27 AM : Dec 03, 2008

What does a dead Billy Martin have to do with this?

[carycollins]

I agree with Edward. Why are we hiring and paying these thugs? Felons....some role models. Let''s hire law abiding citizens to be our football players. That means....yes....hiring college graduates who have passed criminal background checks. It''s pathetic. This world is NUTS....waiting for 2012 with great anticipation. PS Don''t mention Vick in the same breath as this joker. Vick is beyond redemption....evil, evil, evil.

[edward1975-2009]

Maybe this will start a trend of getting rid of the thug attitude and once again find people who consider it a privilege and an honor to play professional sports, instead of digging ditches for a living. We can only hope.

[tincup356]

Can you say bye bye millions? Another gifted idiot who thinks being a celebrity makes them above the law, he must have George Bush syndrome.

[talk2chief]

Just another pompous, showboat, overpaid, self indulgent idiot to add to the list with Michael Vick.

[ajmarine111]

wouldn''''t it have been cheaper for burress to just hire a bodyguard?


Posted by hober_mallow at 10:19 PM : Dec 02, 2008




Where''s the fun in that?

[whitecat151]

Anyone remember the olde tyme westerns on TV?

Check your guns at the door was the rule.

Think about it.

WC