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Message: [QUOTE="OrangeHeel, post: 304824, member: 152"] As an add-on to a five page thread, this might not get read, but here goes: My perspective is that of a prosecutor with a reputation for being very aggressive pursuing violent felonies. That doesn't make my opinion more valid, just put out there to give you an idea where I'm coming from. Some thoughts: 1. Can't compare Sales v. Cater outcome. Sales' brother fell on his sword for his brother. Sales' charges got dismissed. Whatever suspicions you might have, the system did its job and the result should be respected. 2. Cater was lucky not to end up with a violent felony since he actually entered a residence which is a Burglary 2nd. Having said that, and without knowing all the facts, a Burglary 3rd conviction with state prison is a fairly stiff outcome under all of the facts and circumstances. 3. Cater went to a shock camp which is the DOCS equivalent of a military boot camp. It's a great program and I've yet to see someone go through the program who isn't better off upon there exit. Every word out of their mouth is "sir, yes sir" and they are ready to make a new start. The problem is that there usually isn't a "new start". Instead it's back to the same non-existent support system. 4. This is a critical time for Cater since he needs to get back into a sound support system like existed at Syracuse. Yes, he blew it once, but that doesn't mean that Syracuse should wash its hands of him. To me, when you recruit a player you make a commitment to him and he makes one to you. While he didn't live up to his commitment, I think the nobler thing to do is to take him back. You don't give up on a family member without careful thought and consideration. (And I could care less how good he is at football. My opinion would be the same even if he was a walk-on practice player.) 5. We send people to prison to deter, to punish, and to rehabilitate. As a society we decide how much time fits a particular crime. Cater did his time. He should be allowed to pursue a second chance at SU. I'll leave it to HCDM and the University whether that second chance should be granted. 6. As to the sanctimonious "he's a convicted felon" argument, I've long been of the opinion that every single one of us has committed a vilation of the Penal Law. It's not that hard to do. It can be as easy as having a fake driver's license to get into a bar to drink. That little gem is called Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd and is a D Felony in NY -- which just happens to be the same level of felony as Cater was convicted of. 7. In prosecution, I've always taken the approach that each victim and each defendant should be treated fairly under all the facts and circumstance. I've prosecuted murderers, rapists, and all sorts of deviates and was happy to put them in prison for as long as possible. With all that, if you believe in the system, and I do, Cater deserves a second chance. If he is sincere and convinces SU of that, I hope it's at SU. If not, I'll hope that he'll be a great success at some other school [/QUOTE]

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