A grand jury has indicted Plaxico Burress, the former wide receiver for the New York Giants. The criminal charges include two felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment.
If convicted for the weapons charges, Burress, 31, could face 3.5 to 15 years in prison. He could be ordered to serve up to one year for reckless endangerment. If he is convicted of all charges, he could serve his sentences concurrently.
Burress already has pleaded not guilty to the weapons charges. He is free on $100,000 bail.
The incident leading to the criminal charges against Burress occurred last November after the football star and Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce went to a nightclub. Burress accidentally shot himself in the thigh and was taken to a hospital.
Burress is not licensed to carry a gun in New York. Just hours before the incident, the Giants had decided he couldn’t play in the next football game because he had strained his hamstring in the leg that he shot.
Pierce was not indicted on any criminal charges.
Burress caught the winning touchdown during last year’s Superbowl when the Giants defeated the New England Patriots. He is currently a free agent.
In Massachusetts, gun charges can be tough to combat unless you’ve got an experienced Boston illegal weapons possessions law firm representing you. The state has very strict gun laws that come with harsh penalties for offenders. However, there may be reasons why weapons possessions charges against you should be dropped or reduced.
Reports: Burress Is Indicted by Grand Jury, Washington Post, August 4, 2009
Plaxico Burress Shoots Himself Accidentally, New York Times, August 4, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Plaxico Burress
The General Laws of Massachusetts
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