Michael Phelps Will Not Face Drug Charges
I'm sure Olympian Michael Phelps is breathing a deep sigh of relief! Richland County, South Carolina Sheriff Leon Lott announced that his office will not file drug charges against Michael after the photo of him smoking from a bong became public.
'Michael Phelps is truly an American hero … but
even with his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of
our state,' Lott said
Michael has reportedly never disputed the photos authenticity, so why no charges? Especially since must still follow the law, despite being a star, according to Sheriff Lott?
No explanation is provided, so does anyone have a guess? Perhaps there are good legal reasons not to press charges, like... how could you actually prove there was marijuana in the bong? Suppose it was something else (that is legal) that Michael was smoking? I could see a defense attorney making that argument, and it would be valid!
So what do you think: has justice been served?
Photos by Wenn.com
I think, hypothetically, it COULD have been tobacco or legal herbs. I know a shop here that sells bongs (and likely FOR marijuana users), but they sell them under the pretenses that you can smoke tobacco with salvia or some other legal herbs. We pretty much all know that you don't really smoke tobacco out of a bong, BUT you COULD, and it COULD have been. The problem they're having is proving that it was marijuana in the bong, and I don't think they could have done that. Not that I believe it. I don't believe it celebrity status when it comes to legality, but I do believe that 60% of America smokes(d) weed, and most people are slapped on the wrist for instances like Phelps had. I mean, every policeman deals with it differently, but I think most people aren't held THAT accountable for it, like they should, and it's unfair for Michael Phelps to have to deal with this pressure just because he's pictured, videotaped, and recorded more than the average american. That's what I think. Wrong is wrong, though.
22235 points
I think justice was served and the real criminals have been arrested. The only thing Phelps did was go to the wrong party and get his picture taken. Those people that were arrested should be ashamed for what they did to him. But then I think Phelps is above the law anyway. He could do no wrong in my book.
520 points
I am so done with this pathetic, useless scandal & the octuplet's useless crazy liar mommy already...Phelps needs a much bigger hat, one that covers his dumbo ears & gigantic horsehead...I can hear him lisping just from looking at the pic...Ewwww....
lolololol
Nobody ever died from a pot overdose.
what a loser after not learning anything from his DUI record...
whyyyy isnt he facing drug charges? its coz hes white. or coz hes rich. or both. pick.
what? michael phelps isn't facing charges and he shouldn't!!! other athletes - white, black, purple - partake in horrible criminal activity - doing hard core drugs, beating up their wives, girlfriends, etc. and they practically get a raise. it is such nonsense!!! what a BS double standard. if Michael Phelps was charged, i would have made a REALLY big deal about it, how ridiculous!!!
300 points
OMG!!! I think Michael P is a great swimmer. He is really nice. love him so much! recently His blog was found on '[[ Ric h kiss C om]]' . It is very hot with many clicks.
too bad..setting such precedence is not exemplary. people should not be able to get off the hook because they are celebrities, have money or pretty faces. if he would be applying for job at a local hospital as a doctor he would be denied the position and facing charges.
stop being bitter. other athletes get away with much worse. can you say OJ Simpson? smoking pot? give me a damn break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1375 points
The Gold Medal Snow Boarder from Canada, Ross Regbliatti, tested positive for marijuana at the Olympics a few years ago....still got his medal and I don't know of anyone who has looked down on him for it.
Marijuana is not a banned substance re: the Olympics and it certainly doesn't improve anyone's performance.
He's a kid, who swims and he took a hit off of a bong......criminal charges?? You have to be joking!
jmho
oh, and regarding nobody passing away from a marijuna overdose......there are people suffering from marijuna induced psychosis here; you may not be dead; but you might be better off if you were
again jmho
next time i get caught smoking pot im just gonna say, hey ! micheal phelps did it so i shouldnt get charged either!.....thats bullshit cause if he was a regular person hed be paying for this and not disputing any charges
hey dumb dumb. If you get caught smoking it by the cops, you will go to jail. The cops didn't catch him smoking pot.
The photo would likely not be admissible evidence. First it's hearsay, and even it were deemed to meet a hearsay exception, the photo would likely be excluded as unfairly prejudicial--that is, its probative value is substantially outweighed by the risk of unfair prejudice to the defendant.
Without the picture (which is seemingly the state's only evidence), the state would have a hard time proving its case.
In texas its the actual posession of the drug, not smoking it that is illegal. There is no proof in that photo that he has possession of pot, just a bong, and that is not illegal.
I want a tee shirt with a picture of Phelps and his bong with the caption "Marijuana Breeds Olympians!"
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