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Md. Judge Acquits College Football Player


— August 17, 2004

OCEAN CITY, Md. – A judge, while acknowledging he believed a college football player was “guilty as sin,” acquitted him of charges related to a run-in with police after a lawyer argued that a conviction could end the player’s career.

Gregory D. Powell, 20, was charged with assaulting police and disorderly conduct after a June disturbance at a motel where police had ordered underage drinkers to pour out their beer. . . .

“Son, you are about to get an early Christmas present, because I know what effect a probation would have,” Hayman told the defendant Monday. “And it is a gift, because you are guilty as sin. I’m going to find you not guilty.”

Although his “crime” doesn’t sound very serious, I have issues with a judge who could say: “[B]ecause you are guilty as sin. . . , I’m going to find you not guilty.” Details here from the AP via the Ledger-Enquirer.


OCEAN CITY, Md. – A judge, while acknowledging he believed a college football player was “guilty as sin,” acquitted him of charges related to a run-in with police after a lawyer argued that a conviction could end the player’s career.

Gregory D. Powell, 20, was charged with assaulting police and disorderly conduct after a June disturbance at a motel where police had ordered underage drinkers to pour out their beer. . . .

“Son, you are about to get an early Christmas present, because I know what effect a probation would have,” Hayman told the defendant Monday. “And it is a gift, because you are guilty as sin. I’m going to find you not guilty.”

Although his “crime” doesn’t sound very serious, I have issues with a judge who could say: “[B]ecause you are guilty as sin. . . , I’m going to find you not guilty.” Details here from the AP via the Ledger-Enquirer.

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