Why hasn't Delonte West gone to court yet?

[celticinorlando]

I mean gilbert has been tried and convicted...yet west was caught armed to the teeth and is still playing and will continue to play. i think it is an absolute joke he hasnt been suspended or even talked about. if the cavs sucked i bet he would be sitting right now

[Chris]

Not sure about the legal issues, but when it comes to suspensions, there is a big difference between pulling a gun on someone in an NBA arena, and driving with guns on you. 

[barefacedmonk]

Dwell on this, we must not. Focus on beating Cavs, we must....

 

[celticinorlando]

Not sure about the legal issues, but when it comes to suspensions, there is a big difference between pulling a gun on someone in an NBA arena, and driving with guns on you. 

i just find it funny that this happened back in september but wont be processed until after the season. just sends the wrong message. seems like they are letting him play the season and then  worrying about the law later after the cavs finish the season.  

[Roy Hobbs]

Arenas wasn't tried; he entered into a plea bargain with prosecutors, which left his sentence open-ended.  Delonte still maintains his innocence, and as of yet, hasn't entered a plea.  Another difference is that Gilbert was in Federal court (having been arrested in D.C.), whereas Delonte was arrested in Maryland, and will be tried in state court.  Each system has different docketing rules, discovery schedules, and court calendars.

Typically, it can take in excess of a year if a case goes to trial.  My guess would be that neither the prosecution nor defense is all that anxious for a speedy resolution in the Delonte case.

[Who]

I thought reports back early in the season said that Delonte would be on trial sometime in March or April. Surprised we haven't heard anything more on that recently.

[Roy Hobbs]

I thought reports back early in the season said that Delonte would be on trial sometime in March or April. Surprised we haven't heard anything more on that recently.

I just looked, and the most recent trial date I saw is April 26.  I would expect that to be postponed again by mutual consent.

[RJ87]

Arenas wasn't tried; he entered into a plea bargain with prosecutors, which left his sentence open-ended.  Delonte still maintains his innocence, and as of yet, hasn't entered a plea.  Another difference is that Gilbert was in Federal court (having been arrested in D.C.), whereas Delonte was arrested in Maryland, and will be tried in state court.  Each system has different docketing rules, discovery schedules, and court calendars.

Typically, it can take in excess of a year if a case goes to trial.  My guess would be that neither the prosecution nor defense is all that anxious for a speedy resolution in the Delonte case.

TP for beating me to the punch.

Also, I don't think its preferential treatment. Trials are postponed and dates get changed all the time. As far as why he hasn't been suspended, its standard for the NBA not to hand down suspensions until the matter is legally resolved. You can't punish a player until he's actually proven guilty or enters a plea.

I don't think Delonte and Arenas' cases should be compared as far as how they are handled. Aside from the fact that firearms were involved, their cases are very different. People don't really seem to grasp the unique nature of Gilbert Arenas' case, he brought a gun to work and essentially pulled it on a co-worker (or showed it to as a means of intimidation, whatever). Not saying that what Delonte did wasn't bad, but quite different. And then Arenas kind of forced the commissioner's hand with the antics that followed the incident. And not to mention, he was fined/suspended a few years ago for firearm possession.

[PosImpos]

What I will agree with is that it's remarkable how little media blowback Delonte got from his little gun incident compared to what Arenas got.  Delonte has a psychological disorder to explain his behavior, but it's still seems a little bit unfair.

One thing you can make a legitimate issue out of is not that Delonte hasn't gone to court yet, but that he wasn't suspended by the league; in fact, he hasn't faced any disciplinary action from the league at all as far as I'm aware.  Arenas, of course, was suspended for the season. 

Whether he was dealing with personal issues or not, I believe Delonte should have served a suspension for getting arrested with so many concealed weapons etc.  If what Arenas did is so bad for the league's image, what West did has to be at least a blemish.

[Edgar]

Free Delonte. 

what can i say...

Love the guy!

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, whatever happens with Delonte, I wish him the best.

[Overrated]

Dwell on this, we must not. Focus on beating Cavs, we must....

 

Well... the Celts need to get outta the first round first 

[RJ87]

One thing you can make a legitimate issue out of is not that Delonte hasn't gone to court yet, but that he wasn't suspended by the league; in fact, he hasn't faced any disciplinary action from the league at all as far as I'm aware.  Arenas, of course, was suspended for the season. 

See my post above yours regarding why he wasn't suspended... yet.

[PosImpos]

One thing you can make a legitimate issue out of is not that Delonte hasn't gone to court yet, but that he wasn't suspended by the league; in fact, he hasn't faced any disciplinary action from the league at all as far as I'm aware.  Arenas, of course, was suspended for the season. 

See my post above yours regarding why he wasn't suspended... yet.

I understand the differences in circumstances that you outlined, but I still think Delonte's actions probably warranted at least a few game suspension.  The way it worked out, Delonte didn't play for more than a few games anyway due to his condition, but he should have been suspended for a bit regardless (though by no means for any large portion of the season as Arenas was).

[liam]

Because he's a Cav! If Arenas was playing with the King, he'd be playing now too.