pros and cons: December 2009 Archives
A man who might have been one of the NFL's best ever will spend several years in the penitentiary for attacking his girlfriend. Lawrence Phillips, who went from Baldwin Park to the University of Nebraska to the NFL, lived life on the edge
From the Pasadena Star News:
SAN DIEGO - Ex-NFL running back Lawrence Phillips has been sentenced to more than 31 years in prison for attacking his girlfriend and driving his car into three teens.Phillips, 34, a former Baldwin Park football star, was sentenced Friday in San Diego for assault and other crimes.
Phillips told the judge he didn't get a fair trail and he'll appeal. He switched lawyers several times in the trial, and told friends and family members that he felt like he was badly misrepresented by the public defenders who were assigned to him.
Phillips twice choked his girlfriend in 2005 in San Diego. Later that year, he aimed his car and struck three teens after a pickup football game in Los Angeles.
That car belong to the San Diego victim, and Phillips was originally charged with stealing it.
Ty Pagone, a former Baldwin Park vice principal and football coach who was at the school when Phillips attended it, said he was "horrified" to hear the length of the sentence.
"There are murderers who get shorter sentences and he didn't kill anyone," said Pagone. "I don't think he ever even put anyone in the hospital."
Pagone added that he believed Phillips did need to answer for his crimes.
"There are no doubt he has made mistakes, but he is not a monster, the way he has been depicted sometimes," he added.
Pagone said two of Phillips' other former coaches had attended the hearing in San Diego, Tony Zane of Baldwin Park,
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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