Haynesworth

[TesT]

McSorley found guilty of assault, avoids jail time

he charges won't appear on Marty McSorley's record if he completes his probation. AP
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Marty McSorley was found guilty of assault with a weapon but won't be sent to jail for his two-fisted stick attack on an opponent.

Now he needs the NHL's permission to play again.

A Canadian court found McSorley guilty Friday for the February 21 blow that sent Vancouver Canucks forward Donald Brashear sprawling to the ice.

McSorley, a 17-year NHL veteran who was with the Boston Bruins at the time, won't have any charges go on his record as long as he completes 18 months of probation. He was ordered not to play against Brashear during that time, in Canada or the United States.

A lawyer for McSorley said the player might appeal.

Players and the NHL say the case shouldn't have gone to court.

sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/news/2000/10/06/mcsorley_assault_ap

When you start getting the local authority involved, you have a VERY grey area that the league and players dont wish to create. Whats considered assault in hockey? If I get into a fight, can I run to the police if I have my nose broken?

These leagues basically run as their own government. Issues that happen on the field of play, should be kept and handled within the league.

Odds are when this guy comes back from his 5 week suspension, someone will get some revenge on him during a game.

[captobvious]

Is that the kind of society the NFL wants to promote?

[TesT]

captobvious said:

Is that the kind of society the NFL wants to promote?

What?

The NFL handled the issue. There's no need for anyone to run to the police and take it any further. What are you not understanding about this?

[xraycat]

i would have bit him if he tried that on me.

[Eielson]

Its fun to watch Captobvious getting beat in an argument.

[captobvious]

byron437 said:

captobvious said:

Is that the kind of society the NFL wants to promote?

What?

The NFL handled the issue. There's no need for anyone to run to the police and take it any further. What are you not understanding about this?

You contradict yourself. First you say he will face payback on the field when he returns from his suspension. Now you say there's no need for anyone to take it any further. Make up your mind. Revenge ALWAYS takes an issue further.

[ty23]

I actually i have to agree with Capt on this one, your saying just because it happend on the field means he is not punishable by the court of law, that is totally bogus the guy stomped on another mans head and caused him to get 30 stitches and will be fined 5 games w/o pay, you tell me if a 6'6" man weighing 330 pounds minimum steps on your head causes you to have to sit some games during the best year of your career, as it is in this players case, that you wont take any further action on the said player who did the stomping?

[Eielson]

ty23 said:

I actually i have to agree with Capt on this one, your saying just because it happend on the field means he is not punishable by the court of law, that is totally bogus the guy stomped on another mans head and caused him to get 30 stitches and will be fined 5 games w/o pay, you tell me if a 6'6" man weighing 330 pounds minimum steps on your head causes you to have to sit some games during the best year of your career, as it is in this players case, that you wont take any further action on the said player who did the stomping?

5 games and $500,000 is quite a bit

[TesT]

captobvious said:

byron437 said:

What?

The NFL handled the issue. There's no need for anyone to run to the police and take it any further. What are you not understanding about this?

You contradict yourself. First you say he will face payback on the field when he returns from his suspension. Now you say there's no need for anyone to take it any further. Make up your mind. Revenge ALWAYS takes an issue further.

I was speaking about the police (local authorities) when refering to someone "taking it further". I didnt think that needed further clarification.

[TesT]

ty23 said:

I actually i have to agree with Capt on this one, your saying just because it happend on the field means he is not punishable by the court of law, that is totally bogus the guy stomped on another mans head and caused him to get 30 stitches and will be fined 5 games w/o pay, you tell me if a 6'6" man weighing 330 pounds minimum steps on your head causes you to have to sit some games during the best year of your career, as it is in this players case, that you wont take any further action on the said player who did the stomping?

When you guys talk of this going to court, ultimatly you're wanting jail time correct? Was Bill Romo given jail time for breaking Marcus Williams face? No. And neither will Haynesworth. Now, he might have a civil case filed, but like most cases involving millionairs, the odds are it'll be paid off before it even goes to court.

The NFL doesnt want or need their issues being settles by a judge.

[captobvious]

The NFL attempts to portray itself as family entertainment. If they allow him to return to play and receive retribution on the field, they're telling children that this is an acceptable method for dealing with people who wrong you. If, on the other hand, he goes before civil authorities, they're teaching children that stomping on someone's face is a crime, and it doesn't matter whether you're some punk kid in school or a million-dollar celebrity.

Which is the lesson they should be teaching?

[TesT]

captobvious said:

The NFL attempts to portray itself as family entertainment. If they allow him to return to play and receive retribution on the field, they're telling children that this is an acceptable method for dealing with people who wrong you. If, on the other hand, he goes before civil authorities, they're teaching children that stomping on someone's face is a crime, and it doesn't matter whether you're some punk kid in school or a million-dollar celebrity.

Which is the lesson they should be teaching?

You're taking this a little literal dont you think? I dont think the NFL would condone any revenge taken on Haynesworth. But it would be naive to think that it wont happen. Offensive lineman tend to stick together. And when one was "wronged", you can bet something will be done about it.

What does it say when a millionair settles a civil case out of court? That you can pay your way out of trouble. Do you see the NFL getting up in arms over that? No. That's none of their concern...and something they cant control.

Taking a case to court, regardless of whos right or wrong, drags the NFL brand through the mud.

[captobvious]

byron437 said:

You're taking this a little literal dont you think? I dont think the NFL would condone any revenge taken on Haynesworth. But it would be naive to think that it wont happen. Offensive lineman tend to stick together. And when one was "wronged", you can bet something will be done about it.

You're making my argument for me here.

What does it say when a millionair settles a civil case out of court? That you can pay your way out of trouble. Do you see the NFL getting up in arms over that? No. That's none of their concern...and something they cant control.

Taking a case to court, regardless of whos right or wrong, drags the NFL brand through the mud.

Whether there is a civil case or not is something completely outside of the NFL's control. It's all up to the victim to determine if he feels wronged enough to seek compensation. If he wants to sue, they can't stop him. What we're talking about is not a civil case. We're talking about prosecution under the law.

You made the assumption earlier that a prosecution necessitates jail time. Neither Bertuzzi nor McSorley received jail time, but both were subjected to the same process any other criminal would have to endure.