Why hasn't Delonte West gone to court yet?

[Roy Hobbs]

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).

In the past, though, the league has generally waited until resolution of a case.  For instance, there wasn't any discipline for Tony Allen when he was arrested on multiple counts of aggravated battery (an incident that resulted in a man being shot by one of Tony's friends, reportedly at his direction.)  Rather than suspend a player that is presumed innocent, the league stayed out of it, and ultimately he was acquitted.

I think the same thing would have happened in Arenas' case if he'd stayed contrite.  However, Arenas was mocking the situation, the media got ahold of it, and it turned into a nightmare for the league, leading Stern to act.

[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.

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).

My point was, that he will be suspended. But they're aren't going to do it until its legally resolved. Delonte hasn't said a word about yet, one way or the other so you can't really suspend him for suspicions.

I do think the commish was gonna hold off on suspending Arenas, but then Arenas decided to make it a public joke and furthermore, ADMITTED to it. So the league really had no choice but to punish him.

People are up in arms (I don't mean you, specifically) but I feel pretty confident in guaranteeing that he will face some sort of punishment from the league once they no what the parameters of his situation are.

EDIT: didn't see Roy beating my to the punch again lol

[liam]

"What are the consequences for Delonte West?
Posted by John Paulsen (09/21/2009 @ 1:00 pm)

The News-Herald follows up on the Delonte West shotgun-in-a-guitar-case story.

Timberwolves guard Sebastian Telfair was suspended for three games for having a loaded gun in his possession.

Don’t be shocked if West is not eligible to play for several games this season. Could his possible suspension be as long as 10 games? Are you glad the Cavs signed Anthony Parker now?

He’s not a bad guy. He’s not a Pacman Jones. He’s a guy who has issues.

Ironically, West was within his rights to carry the shotgun. It’s the two handguns that have him in trouble.

I agree that West is not a bad guy. He’s odd, but likable, and he’s a key player for the Cavs. He’ll likely serve a suspension, and may serve some time."

[CelticG1]

"What are the consequences for Delonte West?
Posted by John Paulsen (09/21/2009 @ 1:00 pm)

The News-Herald follows up on the Delonte West shotgun-in-a-guitar-case story.

Timberwolves guard Sebastian Telfair was suspended for three games for having a loaded gun in his possession.

Don’t be shocked if West is not eligible to play for several games this season. Could his possible suspension be as long as 10 games? Are you glad the Cavs signed Anthony Parker now?

He’s not a bad guy. He’s not a Pacman Jones. He’s a guy who has issues.

Ironically, West was within his rights to carry the shotgun. It’s the two handguns that have him in trouble.

I agree that West is not a bad guy. He’s odd, but likable, and he’s a key player for the Cavs. He’ll likely serve a suspension, and may serve some time."

Honestly this is just embarrassing that people have the right to this in any country let alone here (well it's probably only allowed here come to think of it)

[Weird Facts]

WHy would it blow your mind how little attention this is getting ?
why would you compare it to Gilbert Arenas?

Delonte isn't Gilbert Arenas - there aren't tens of thousands of little kids running around with Delonte West jerseys.

Arenas was a SUPERSTAR
Delonte is a GOOD PLAYER

There in lies the difference.

to bring it up a notch -
If some arbitrary Golfer who has never finished in the top 50 in a PGA tournament had several affairs and cheated on his wife with 100 women.

Do you think that would be getting the same attention as Tiger Woods?

[Roy Hobbs]

Delonte West's trial on gun charges, scheduled to begin this coming Monday, has now been postponed until July 21.

The postponement is important because the Cavs' guard could have been suspended from playoff games by the league if a plea deal or trial had resulted in a conviction.

Now all such action will be pushed off until after the post-season is completed.

Link.

[FLCeltsFan]

I imagine that it is just part of the court system.  Tony Allen's trial was postponed quite a few times before they finally wrapped it up. 

[jambr380]

I guess I agree with those that are surprised at how little media attention it has gotten. I mean, all of us talked about it at length on this blog back when it happened, but it didn't exactly get national attention.

I also get that what Arenas did was 'worse' and also that Arenas is a bigger star, but didn't Delonte have several guns and wasn't one of them an automatic? and didn't he have a three-wheeled motorcycle? 

[FLCeltsFan]

Delonte was indicted on 8 weapons charges.  He had 2 loaded handguns and a loaded shotgun along with 120 rounds of ammo. He also had an 8 1/2 in Bowie knife.  I hadn't heard of an automatic weapon.  All the reports I read only mentioned the 2 handguns and shotgun and the knife.  Delonte's bipolar illness may be an extenuating circumstance as well. 

[jackson_34]

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.

How can he plead innocent to being caught with so many weapons?

I'd be correct in assuming the bi-polar is the reason right Roy?

[j804]

Am I wrong for hoping he'd receive some kind of suspension during this postseason run? :evil laugh: