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A&M fans, remember Brandon Joiner?
Posted on 2/5/13 at 4:21 pm
Posted on 2/5/13 at 4:21 pm
As a freshman, got in trouble with another player for robbing a drug dealer. Got cut, went juco, then to stAte (Ark St.). Turned his life around, finished school last year in the top five for sacks. Mentored troubled youth, performed community service, and seved time during school holidays. He was sentenced after graduation. He just completed his sentence and has joined the Bengals. His is a good story.
Any ideas what happened to the other guy involved in the robbery?
Any ideas what happened to the other guy involved in the robbery?
Posted on 2/5/13 at 4:26 pm to John Redcorn
Yemi was the other guy? Did he just get released or is he still in?
This post was edited on 2/5/13 at 4:43 pm
Posted on 2/5/13 at 4:41 pm to CGSC Lobotomy
Yemi Babalola was the other guy.
I heard it was Joiner's idea to do the robbery and he cut a deal to testify against Yemi after they got caught. They're both responsible, of course, but boy did Joiner get a sweet deal for having a better lawyer and getting to the prosecutor first.
I heard it was Joiner's idea to do the robbery and he cut a deal to testify against Yemi after they got caught. They're both responsible, of course, but boy did Joiner get a sweet deal for having a better lawyer and getting to the prosecutor first.
Posted on 2/5/13 at 4:48 pm to Smoke Ring
Before sentencing, Yemi Babalola finished up his eligibility at Texas Southern while attempting to earn a master's degree.
He served half of his five year sentence and was paroled.
He served half of his five year sentence and was paroled.
Posted on 2/5/13 at 4:57 pm to Smoke Ring
I just read up on the story of Babalola. Joiner cut a deal after Babalola was convicted. Doesn't look like Joiner cut a deal to testify for leniency. In those situations, if you are the lawyer, you cut the deal, make a sworn statement and get sentenced before the other guy's trial.
Babalola got hit harder because he went to trial. His lawyer probably thought that a jury would be lenient since the victim was a drug dealer. The problem was an ex-girlfriend testified against him, saying that he was abusive and felt entitled due tolaying ball for A&M. Surprised the judge allowed that testimony. Prejudicial and not relevant to the crime. Must have been through a door opened by defense atty arguing that he was incapable of violence.
His lawyer did not do him any favors. I would have pled him quick. They found the drugs at Babalola's apartment.
Babalola got hit harder because he went to trial. His lawyer probably thought that a jury would be lenient since the victim was a drug dealer. The problem was an ex-girlfriend testified against him, saying that he was abusive and felt entitled due tolaying ball for A&M. Surprised the judge allowed that testimony. Prejudicial and not relevant to the crime. Must have been through a door opened by defense atty arguing that he was incapable of violence.
His lawyer did not do him any favors. I would have pled him quick. They found the drugs at Babalola's apartment.
Posted on 2/5/13 at 5:08 pm to John Redcorn
quote:I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that the girlfriend testified during the sentencing phase, not the guilt or innocence portion of trial.
The problem was an ex-girlfriend testified against him, saying that he was abusive and felt entitled due tolaying ball for A&M. Surprised the judge allowed that testimony.
I could not tell you why Yemi's attorney pushed for trial. Perhaps the D.A. was playing hardball.
Posted on 2/5/13 at 5:23 pm to ImperialPalace
quote:
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that the girlfriend testified during the sentencing phase, not the guilt or innocence portion of trial. I could not tell you why Yemi's attorney pushed for trial.
Could be, not familiar with Texas procedure. I practice in Mississippi. Here, if your defendant is in the Delta, you go to trial. If in Northeast MS, you better think twice.
Did read that ex was a white girl, dealer was white, and jury was all white. That could not have helped. Plus, judges tend to sentence more harshly when they have an audience. Are Texas judges elected?
Posted on 2/5/13 at 5:48 pm to John Redcorn
quote:Of course Brandon Joiner is a Bengal. The Bengals organization is no more than a halfway house for those with criminal records. Cincinnati has little to offer free agents other than to give ex-cons one last shot in the league.
He just completed his sentence and has joined the Bengals.
quote:Yes, Texas judges are elected, not appointed. I'm positive that each of the other factors you mentioned played a small but tangible role in sentencing. I'd like to believe that justice is color-blind, but...
Are Texas judges elected?
Posted on 2/5/13 at 6:29 pm to ImperialPalace
Both made a huge mistake. I remember how shocked I was when it went down (i was at school.)
Both now claim to have turned their lives around.
Both now claim to have turned their lives around.
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