Jason Shirley's case in jurors hands

by Josh Kirkendall on Jun 4, 2008 11:45 AM EDT in Legal/Off Field Issues

Right now, the jury is deliberating the case against Jason Shirley. Closing arguments ended Tuesday:

During closing arguments Tuesday, Shirley's defense team said the athlete suffered a concussion and only appeared to be drunk. But the prosecution said Shirley was clearly drunk and driving the car.

The keys to the prosecution's case were two breath tests Shirley took. The tests registered his blood-alcohol content at 0.12% and 0.11%. Magill argued the tests could have been incorrectly administered by a police officer, altering the test results. [Fresno Bee]

Earlier this week, Jason Shirley's Fresno State coach, Pat Hill testified in defense of Shirley's four misdemeanors. Dr. William Carveth was also called:

Carveth, an official team doctor the past three seasons, testified that the concussion Shirley sustained days before he drove a car into a townhome complex in the late night hours of Oct. 8 could have compounded the effects of the alcohol he drank that night and affected his decision making, emotional stability and ability to follow directions.

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Nice Scoop

Nice scoop on this story Kirkendall. I was just snoopin’ this morning myself.
Got my fingers crossed it goes well !!!!!!!!!

by emdrr on Jun 4, 2008 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Indeed, yes...

...how many days before we see something about this on Bengals.com?

Here’s hoping it all works out.

by TheWalrus1971 on Jun 4, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Embarassing

by whodey on Jun 4, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

Notice: Official Jason "Leviathan" Shirley Apologist.

Yep, that’s me. Seriously, having had a concussion once- and not, as many claim, repeatedly, I can attest to the increased effects of alcohol on the contre couped brain(losers bought the beer, it would have been a rugby faux pas not to have drank it). Of course, I wasn’t driving but I sure felt like taking a spin, if only to match the gyrations of my head. Doesn’t excuse Jason but maybe mitigates it slightly. Add to that, it’s a first offense and, apparently, no one really cares too much about those- ask Bill Cunningham on the Big One about his interviews with the lawyer who calls himself “Not Guilty” Adams and enthusiastically and publicly advises his clients to refuse a breathalyzer when stopped on the suspicion of driving drunk(the better to grease the wheels of beating the charge, supposedly).

I suppose it’s possible for Shirley to receive some sort of counseling/intervention classes that, theoretically, could be conducted in this jurisdiction if approved by both sides. Still and all, this event happened prior to us ever hearing of him and I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in terms of his potential behavior representing this city- supposing he makes the team and all.

My benefit of the doubt requirements are; at least 6’5”, heavier than 325lbs., two tenths of a second faster in the 40 than Sedrick Ellis, and a 35” vertical. ;)

by IgnatiusJReilly on Jun 4, 2008 10:08 PM EDT reply actions