A Fine. A Warning. A Halfway House. No Jail Time.
Judge Says At The Core Arenas Is "A Decent Person".
Arenas exits the DC courthouse from the rear after court on Friday.
Photos: Javon Curtis for DC UrbanSports.
After all the speculation of whether or not the Wizards' ousted player, Gilbert Arenas would get jail time for bringing guns into his place of business (Verizon Center) in the District of Columbia, Mr. Arenas remains a free man.
Judge Robert E. Morin, presiding over the case, thought Gilbert showed no intent to harm anyone, did indeed show remorse, and thought Arenas' work in the community and his willingness to help those in need far outweighed the incident of bad judgment.
Judge Morin stated that having the firearm wasn't the issue; it was the way Arenas transported the weapons that was "inappropriate".
Morin gave Arenas two years supervised probation (1 year with compliance), thirty supervised days in a DC halfway house (house, to be determined at a later date), 400 hours of community service (non-basketball related) where Arenas will speak to youth about the dangers of firearms; and pay a fine of $5,000 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (including victims of firearms). Arenas will also have to be registered as a gun offender in the District (renewing registration each year up to two years after the completion of his probation). He may not possess any fire arms whatsoever. He is free to travel (for business purposes only).
In response to the outcome the legal team of O'Melveny & Myers issued the following statement:
Arenas admitted he knew his actions weren't the best, and inferred he was just trying to make the best out of a bad situation. "What we did that day was stupid and irresponsible", he told the judge with a wavering voice.
Seated next to her cousin, Govan told us after the trail that she was relieved. "I had to put on more lipgloss because my mouth was so dry. I couldn't even swallow."
I asked her what the scene at the Arenas household was like before coming to court. She answered, "Quiet. Like before game time. We just told each other we loved each other."
Govan admitted there had been "a lot of praying" going on as well.
I also asked if Arenas' dad had any advice for his son prior to the 2:30 pm trial. "Just I love you, and I support you", replied Govan.
The debate continues over whether a regular person without the fame, finances, and future of a Gilbert Arenas would be given the same fate.
"With enough money fame and the right representation, you can avoid paying the price that others in the city would certainly pay in these circumstances", argued prosecutor Kenneth Cavanaugh. "If any other individual without the fame, power, and wealth of the defendant did what he did, the government would seek their incarceration and the court would certainly give it. The defendent, although powerful and wealthy should be treated no differently."
Wainstain concurred with that assumption by saying, "Nobody should be treated any better because they are famous, or wealthy, or otherwise", adding, "but the converse (or reverse, or whatever it is) is also true. "Nobody should be treated worse because he's famous, because he's wealthy or because he has an attorney that cares a lot about what happens to him", argued Wainstain.
Arenas rides away with lawyers after trial.
Gilbert's attorney convinced the judge, this time, that he could do more good in the community - outside of jail - than in, but judge Morin warned Arenas, "If you engage in an act of intimidation, possess a firearm, possess any crime, I will be notified and you will not have to worry about whether or not you will serve only 90 days." (Ninety-days was the maximum sought by prosecutors.)
Reaction Outside The Courtroom
"I thought they would have made a statement, and gave him thirty days or something", said RaShawn Adkins an avid Arenas fan since Gilbert's days in Arizona. "But that halfway house is enough, right there. He's out of his element in the halfway house. He's not going to be comfortable in there."
Adkins told us he has had to answer questions from his nine year old son about Gilbert's actions. "Why did Gilbert Arenas bring guns to the locker room? Was he going to shoot anybody? I have to answer those questions, said Adkins.
What do you tell him, we asked.
"That Arenas made a mistake", answered Adkins. "It's the little ones, not us, I'm a grown man - but it's the kids, they don't understand."
Arenas wrote an op-ed piece apologizing to kids of the community back in February of 2010.
Community Service and Who Gilbert May Be Able To Work With
Gregory Baldwin of Helping Hands, Inc. a non-profit organization that teaches about gun violence may be a suitable fit for Arenas to begin his community service task. As mentioned, Arenas has to complete 400 hours of community service that is non-basketball related.
Baldwin, a numerous times gunshot victim himself, has helped out in Barry Farms where the annual Goodman League summer basketball games take place.
"We do youth advocacy, and that type of stuff", said Baldwin. "His (Arenas') lawyer has taken a liking to what I'm doing, and what I've been through."
Baldwin hopes to use his testimony and his past lifestyle to help teach future generations about the repercussions of gun violence.
Arenas Trivia
Arenas, the "avid collector", has collected (in addition to 500 guns) 2,000 DVDs, 700 jerseys, 450 cigars, and one presidential chair.
Wizards Related
Grunfeld Presser: Arenas Will Return Next Season! "He's a baller."
Wizards Statement
Ted Leonsis New Wizards Owner?
Gilbert Arenas, Sr. Speaks
Arenas' Mom Passes
Tweeter Tweets From Athletes
Alana Beard - Washington Mystics
"I DON'T by any means condone what he did! Just need to let that be know!
Happy for Gilbert! He's for sure learned his lesson!"
Judge Says At The Core Arenas Is "A Decent Person".
Photos: Javon Curtis for DC UrbanSports.
After all the speculation of whether or not the Wizards' ousted player, Gilbert Arenas would get jail time for bringing guns into his place of business (Verizon Center) in the District of Columbia, Mr. Arenas remains a free man.
Judge Robert E. Morin, presiding over the case, thought Gilbert showed no intent to harm anyone, did indeed show remorse, and thought Arenas' work in the community and his willingness to help those in need far outweighed the incident of bad judgment.
Judge Morin stated that having the firearm wasn't the issue; it was the way Arenas transported the weapons that was "inappropriate".
Morin gave Arenas two years supervised probation (1 year with compliance), thirty supervised days in a DC halfway house (house, to be determined at a later date), 400 hours of community service (non-basketball related) where Arenas will speak to youth about the dangers of firearms; and pay a fine of $5,000 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (including victims of firearms). Arenas will also have to be registered as a gun offender in the District (renewing registration each year up to two years after the completion of his probation). He may not possess any fire arms whatsoever. He is free to travel (for business purposes only).
In response to the outcome the legal team of O'Melveny & Myers issued the following statement:
“We are very gratified with the outcome of today’s sentencing proceeding. Judge Morin’s decision was fair and measured; it reflected a deep understanding of the relevant facts and equities; and it carefully took into account both the facts relating to Mr. Arenas’ offense and the evidence of Mr. Arenas’ good character. The result was a sentence that serves justice very well.Before the judge made his ruling Gilbert was given the chance to speak in which he said,
Mr. Arenas is grateful to the Court, and looks forward to serving the community and once again being a force for good in the District of Columbia.”
"I am very sorry that this all happened. Everyday I wake up wishing that it didn't. I thought by lieing, screwing the truth, that I can protect what I consider family. I'm with my teammates more than I'm with my own family", said Arenas. "I figured that since I caused it all, I can fix it by taking the fall. I know it wasn't right, but I rather keep a friend, keep a teammate, and lose everything else."The judge concurred, adding, "You would have been better off speaking the truth than not speaking at all, and taking the whole thing more seriously than you did."
Arenas admitted he knew his actions weren't the best, and inferred he was just trying to make the best out of a bad situation. "What we did that day was stupid and irresponsible", he told the judge with a wavering voice.
"I'm very sorry that I hurt Jarvis Crittendon and his family, Mr. Pollin, and the city of Washington."Gilbert's 'fiance', Laura Govan, set in the room next door to where the trial actually took place. Counsel said Gilbert didn't want his girlfriend, or his father, to see him in the courtroom.
Seated next to her cousin, Govan told us after the trail that she was relieved. "I had to put on more lipgloss because my mouth was so dry. I couldn't even swallow."
I asked her what the scene at the Arenas household was like before coming to court. She answered, "Quiet. Like before game time. We just told each other we loved each other."
Govan admitted there had been "a lot of praying" going on as well.
I also asked if Arenas' dad had any advice for his son prior to the 2:30 pm trial. "Just I love you, and I support you", replied Govan.
The debate continues over whether a regular person without the fame, finances, and future of a Gilbert Arenas would be given the same fate.
"With enough money fame and the right representation, you can avoid paying the price that others in the city would certainly pay in these circumstances", argued prosecutor Kenneth Cavanaugh. "If any other individual without the fame, power, and wealth of the defendant did what he did, the government would seek their incarceration and the court would certainly give it. The defendent, although powerful and wealthy should be treated no differently."
Wainstain concurred with that assumption by saying, "Nobody should be treated any better because they are famous, or wealthy, or otherwise", adding, "but the converse (or reverse, or whatever it is) is also true. "Nobody should be treated worse because he's famous, because he's wealthy or because he has an attorney that cares a lot about what happens to him", argued Wainstain.
Gilbert's attorney convinced the judge, this time, that he could do more good in the community - outside of jail - than in, but judge Morin warned Arenas, "If you engage in an act of intimidation, possess a firearm, possess any crime, I will be notified and you will not have to worry about whether or not you will serve only 90 days." (Ninety-days was the maximum sought by prosecutors.)
Reaction Outside The Courtroom
"I thought they would have made a statement, and gave him thirty days or something", said RaShawn Adkins an avid Arenas fan since Gilbert's days in Arizona. "But that halfway house is enough, right there. He's out of his element in the halfway house. He's not going to be comfortable in there."
Adkins told us he has had to answer questions from his nine year old son about Gilbert's actions. "Why did Gilbert Arenas bring guns to the locker room? Was he going to shoot anybody? I have to answer those questions, said Adkins.
What do you tell him, we asked.
"That Arenas made a mistake", answered Adkins. "It's the little ones, not us, I'm a grown man - but it's the kids, they don't understand."
Arenas wrote an op-ed piece apologizing to kids of the community back in February of 2010.
Community Service and Who Gilbert May Be Able To Work With
Gregory Baldwin of Helping Hands, Inc. a non-profit organization that teaches about gun violence may be a suitable fit for Arenas to begin his community service task. As mentioned, Arenas has to complete 400 hours of community service that is non-basketball related.
Baldwin, a numerous times gunshot victim himself, has helped out in Barry Farms where the annual Goodman League summer basketball games take place.
"We do youth advocacy, and that type of stuff", said Baldwin. "His (Arenas') lawyer has taken a liking to what I'm doing, and what I've been through."
Baldwin hopes to use his testimony and his past lifestyle to help teach future generations about the repercussions of gun violence.
Arenas Trivia
Arenas, the "avid collector", has collected (in addition to 500 guns) 2,000 DVDs, 700 jerseys, 450 cigars, and one presidential chair.
Wizards Related
Grunfeld Presser: Arenas Will Return Next Season! "He's a baller."
Wizards Statement
Ted Leonsis New Wizards Owner?
Gilbert Arenas, Sr. Speaks
Arenas' Mom Passes
Tweeter Tweets From Athletes
Alana Beard - Washington Mystics
"I DON'T by any means condone what he did! Just need to let that be know!
Happy for Gilbert! He's for sure learned his lesson!"
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