MONROE, La. (AP) — The district attorney’s office has decided not to prosecute Alabama offensive lineman Cam Robinson and reserve defensive back Laurence “Hootie” Jones on drug and weapons charges, with the district attorney saying he didn’t want to “ruin the lives” of the two football players.
Prosecutor Neal Johnson cited insufficient evidence in court documents filed on Monday, but district attorney Jerry Jones told KNOE-8 he did not want to prosecute the men because of their athletic backgrounds.
“The main reason that I’m doing this is that I refuse to ruin the lives of two young men who have spent their adolescence and their teenage years working and sweating while we were all home in the air conditioning,” Jones said.
Calls to the district attorney’s office by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.
Robinson and Jones were arrested in the early morning of May 17 for the misdemeanor charge of carrying a weapon in the presence of narcotics. Robinson also was charged with felony possession of stolen firearms.
Robinson is an All-Southeastern Conference left tackle for the defending national champions. He’s projected as a high NFL draft pick going into his junior season.
Jones is also a junior but has played sparingly.
Robinson is from West Monroe and Jones is from Monroe.
Monroe police said the players were arrested after an officer smelled marijuana coming from a parked car in a closed public park. When the officer approached the car, he saw a handgun in Jones’ lap, police said. A search of the car then turned up marijuana and a handgun that had been reported stolen in Baldwin County, Alabama.
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Well, aren’t we all lucky they chose to serve the national religion of football instead of mundane summer jobs.
I can understand taking into consideration their youth, their prior history, etc., but their athletic abilities should NOT come into play. As a matter of fact, this is probably the worst thing you can do for those young men. What sort of lesson is this teaching them and the many other youths who idolize these up-and-coming sports figures? Heck, if we all were so fortunate – NOT!
AFFLUENZA ( plus a couple of thick brown envelopes ) . /s
In possession of a firearm, yet nothing. Even when breaking the law with a gun, we don’t attempt to do it. It’s clear a gun is as fundamental a right as breathing.
The DA get his seating location for his football tickets improved? To the 50 yard line? Or a luxury box?