Charges dropped against Janzen Jackson
by Will Shelton on Nov 23, 2009 9:18 AM EST
in Tennessee Volunteer Football
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PrintMultiple outlets, including The Knoxville News-Sentinel (thanks to golfballs03 for fanshooting this), are reporting that all charges against UT freshman Janzen Jackson have been dropped in the attempted armed robbery situation from two weeks ago.
From the KNS story:
"The investigation and careful review of all relevant evidence failed to show ... Ms. Montmarquet or Mr. Jackson has prior knowledge that the attempted robbery was going to take place and were unaware something had occurred until after they pulled out of the Pilot store," according to the DA's statement.
"Therefore, there is an insufficient legal basis to continue a prosecution against them.
No word yet from anyone at the University about what this means for Jackson's status either this Saturday at Kentucky or for Tennessee's upcoming bowl game. Jackson has been barred from team activities since the incident and hasn't played since the South Carolina game on Halloween, but with the charges dropped, will Jackson become available for the Vols' heavily depleted defense on Saturday?
As always, we'll update the story as information becomes available...
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Should probably be suspended the rest of the season anyway for being a dumbass
But not booted entirely.
"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook
I disagree
The evidence suggests he did nothing wrong. He should play next week.
________________________________
Eric Berry is better at football than you.
And I disagree with you
The evidence suggests that he did not break the law, but I don’t think you can say he “did nothing wrong,” under the circumstances (bearing in mind he was already in hot water with the coaching staff…)
Lou Brock loves Lamp.
Umm...
Shortly after serving a suspension for allegedly failing a drug test (circumstances in which you would think a smart player who cared about where he stands with his coaches would watch his step,) he was out running around at 2am in a car that had drugs in it.
Not too smart, in my opinion.
Lou Brock loves Lamp.
Whether he knew about the drugs/paraphernalia will go a long way towards reinstatement.
I haven’t seen anything with regards to his knowledge on that.
The running around at 2 AM wasn’t smart.
by David Hooper on Nov 23, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
Knowledge
Whether he ACTUALLY knew about the drugs in the car isn’t all that important to me. He SHOULD HAVE known about it.
Let’s face it – the people he was with weren’t choirboys and girls. What Edwards and Richardson did was stupid and criminal, but it’s not the first time either of them have done something stupid and/or criminal. Even if Jackson had no idea they were going to stupidly (even for them) stage a hold-up while he was in the store – or wherever he was at the time – Jackson should have been in his bed that night.
That’s why – even though it hurts our team int he short run – I would have no problem with suspending Jackson until the end of the season: to send a message to Jackson and the rest of the team that they need to be thinking about the consequences of their actions at all times. Such stupidity should not be tolerated.
Lou Brock loves Lamp.
I think you're full of crap
How many people have been in situations where there were drugs about and you didn’t know until people started actually partaking? I can’t be the only one in this situation. And he was hanging out with his teammates. Your teammates should be safe options for friends. If there was a curfew that night (our coach only had curfew the night before gameday, but we were DII), then being out that late was dumb. However, he’s already served a two game suspension for being dumb.
Unless he had some knowledge of what was going on, the penalty he’s already served is sufficient.
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 23, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
You think I'm "full of crap"?
A little harsh, don’t you think?
I think a lot of you are giving a kid with a troubled/checkered past who has proven that he’s not the best decision-maker off the field the benefit of a lot of doubts here. You can stretch the facts of the case into whatever hypothetical scenarios you want to try to portray Jackson in the light most favorable toward getting his talent back onto the field, but none of that is going to make me think that his being out in that car at 2am – regardless of what he knew about its contents and the intentions of its passengers – was a good idea.
But by all means, let’s slap him on the wrist and tell him it’s OK – it was all a big misunderstanding. I’m sure we can count on him to straighten up and fly right on his own…
Lou Brock loves Lamp.
I think...
I gotta agree with you here. Guess I’m full of it as well! ;-)
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
troubled/checkered past?
one failed drug test.
he’s been suspended for a total of 3 games this year. i think that’s sufficient
by golfballs03 on Nov 23, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry
That was not meant to regard your whole post, just the bit about how it doesn’t matter much whether he actually had knowledge of the situation or not. There’s no reason to punish someone for being naive.
You’re probably right about him being out late. But he’s already been suspended 2 games for it. Is that not enough?
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 23, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
It may be enough...
If Kiffin reinstates him immediately, I can’t argue with it.
But if he were to err on the side of caution and try to send a stronger message to JJ and the entire team, I would be fine with that too.
Lou Brock loves Lamp.
I also think you are full of crap.
________________________________
Eric Berry is better at football than you.
Let me rephrase
I think your argument is crappy.
________________________________
Eric Berry is better at football than you.
Going to add
“You’re full of crap” to my RTT sig.
"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook
It looks like there was no wrongdoing whatesoever
Unless there were “team rules” that were broken, I can’t see how they can justify suspending him for anymore games. He’s essentially already served a two-game suspension.
Let him sit to set a precendent
It’s not like this was his first offense. He’s served a one-game suspension before this happened.
What precedent?
If you happen to be in a car with guys who decide to commit an armed robbery, then you should be punished to?
No. No. No.
There is no evidence to suggest he did anything other than violate his curfew. He has served a two game suspension, which is more than he ever would have served for violating a curfew.
Janzen. Should. Be. Reinstated. Immediately.
________________________________
Eric Berry is better at football than you.
Just my opinion, bro.
I see your side as well.
Well he's already served a two-game suspension after it happened
If there’s no wrongdoing, that’s plenty.
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 23, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
The rumor on the street
before the Vandy game was that if the charges had been dropped on Friday he would have played on Saturday. Don’t know how true that is but I’d be surprised to see him suspended for Kentucky.
He was out later than he should have been but if he had no knowledge of what Richardson and Edwards were doing, then… I’d say the two games he missed was punishment enough.
Brent Hubbs at VolQuest
said Jackson actually found out the charges were dropped on Friday night, but he still didn’t play Saturday. Perhaps a little late to get him into the flow 24 hours before kickoff…but take it for what you will.
by Will Shelton on Nov 23, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
Good News !!
Now the wait and see game again. I think if he is practising this week he will probably go to the Kentucky game. And Monte is more then likely saying things in the film room like Wow son look at that Cobb and Locke move the ball Wow they are going to be hard to stop ! Son did you hear that they bet UGA last week. Wow Look at Cobb he runs a lot like McCluster .
Dan Willmams and Hardesty are the real deal ! Go Vols !
Do you think
that the charges were dropped against the lady as well to make the Jackson story more believable? From the victims’ statement, Ms. Montmarquet was seen smiling as if she was aware of the “armed robbery” attempt. Something’s fishy to me, but I trust KPD did everything they could to get the truth and I’ll believe what I’m told, but speculate nonetheless.
Also,
what became of the drug charges? Was the driver the only one implicated?
Let him play!
I think enough precedent-setting has already been made by the dismissal of multiple players (including a highly-touted recruit). Jackson’s been cleared by the law, he’s suffered enough already, let him play. Moreover, this is potentially a make-or-break game for Kiffin’s first year, and our defense could definitely use the help (in case you haven’t noticed). We win, we finish with a winning record, continue the streak against UK, and end up in the Chick-fil-a Bowl at worst. We lose…I don’t even want to think about it.
So Sayth King Zach I
by kingofzachland on Nov 23, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions
I feel pretty strongly that Janzen should be reinstated immediately...
…but it isn’t because we are thin in the secondary and could really use him right now. It is because he has been legally cleared of any wrongdoing. If you punish him further, what are you punishing him for?
________________________________
Eric Berry is better at football than you.
So, funny story:
My brother got robbed at gunpoint last night. When he told me the first thing I said was “No way, how did Nuke get to Forsyth County so fast?!”
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Nov 23, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
Why was that a reply?
Bugger on SBN.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Nov 23, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
No, NC
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Nov 23, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
There are still ways this all ends poorly
a UT loss on Saturday coupled with a trip to the Liberty Bowl to play a Houston team that I’m not sure our depleted defense wants any part of – there’s a world of difference in how an 8-5 finish with a January 1 win and a 6-7 season that ends on a two game skid would feel, but a very fine line between them right now in terms of us being banged up and the quality of our opponents.
by Will Shelton on Nov 23, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Depleted D
is not the only reason I support his reinstatement, don’t get me wrong. However, I think from coaching aspect it MUST be considered. This doesn’t just apply to football—I’ve had work situations where a coworker (or coworkers) should have been fired for misconduct but were merely reprimanded because of the greater detriment their termination would have had on the company. I would expect Lane to take the same benefit/detriment cost-analysis when reviewing Jackson’s case. Clearly Richardson and Edwards should have been dismissed and now that Jackson has been cleared, he should be reinstated particularly considering how how he has already served a two game suspension AND the team could use him in a season-defining game.
So Sayth King Zach I
Coaching College Kids
Is first, second, and finally about molding boys into men. If “we could really use him against Kentucky” is an honest and important look at reinstating Janzen Jackson this weekend, I will be highly disappointed in our Coach.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Nov 23, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
Please tell me...
how this is different from the pressures these young men will be facing in the work force? The truth is, shortcomings (everything from weak social skills to criminal records) are often overlooked when an employee’s work is deemed to be “too important” for a company to let go. In a perfect world all accomplishments and missteps are treated the same; but if this is the world you live in, please send me the address because I’m moving.
As for the matter at hand, Jackson has gone through enough. He’s been punished, let’s move on.
So Sayth King Zach I
by kingofzachland on Nov 23, 2009 6:23 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not saying it IS different
But it should be. Jobs will let some things slide. But Lane shouldn’t. If he does, it will prepare our guys to be lazy and do what they can get a way with. Toughness is the key to mold boys into men, not just useful citizens.
That said, I agree that he’s been punished enough and that we should move on.
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 23, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
PLAY
If the crimianl system says he is not guilty of a crime then JJ plays. Being a DA is not a crime!
Here's a question:
If Jackson testifies/is willing to testify that Nuke and Edwards were talking about a “prank” in the car afterwards, then wouldn’t we have a similar situation as with Nyshier Oliver regarding the proof of intent.
Its already basically their word against the store clerk that this was even a robbery. IMO Nuke and Edwards never even see the inside of a court room. The charges against them may be reduced and they plead guilty. The charges may also be reduced, it seems like there is little to no evidence that those two guys intended to rob anybody.
Now, for me, i hope they get in some real trouble or at least get spooked enough to straighten themselves out. I don’t think they should be allowed back on the team for the embarrassment they have caused the university. (I actually had a Florida fan talk crap about our discipline the other day…) I don’t think they should be allowed a second chance, but might Kiffin think differently?
If the two guys get off, do either get back on the team?
by Prometheus1185 on Nov 23, 2009 10:49 PM EST reply actions
In fact, the way this played out so far, just from the outside looking in, it seems like a stupid prank. I mean honestly they had a pellet gun I’m betting they were goofing off and decided to scare somebody.
I mean honestly, what about “kid driving a kia” screams “Hey I’ve got cash, come rob me.”
This seems a lot like something my friends would have done in college, the only difference is that we wouldn’t have done it to sombody we didn’t know, and it wouldn’t have made news.
by Prometheus1185 on Nov 23, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
The reasons a pellet gun is used
are (a) because it doesn’t have to be registered and (b) because the charges you face are less severe if you do get caught. It’s not that uncommon of a trick to use, and a lot of people who have been robbed at gunpoint never realized they were looking at a pellet gun.
But especially for a football player, not having to register a weapon is useful.
by David Hooper on Nov 24, 2009 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
I just hope Kiffin feels the same way.
I liked that Fulmer didn’t make a spectacle of himself the way Kiffin has, but I hated that anybody with talent was given chance after chance while the non-contributors were “made examples of.” I like the attitude of discipline from Kiffin so far, and even if this was just a prank I think these guys at least deserved what they got so far.
by Prometheus1185 on Nov 24, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions
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