01-10-2007, 09:39 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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FBF Coach
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,551
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Tank's judge a packer fan- says he will not need to leave state..
Quote:
But Potkonjak, a staunch Green Bay Packers fan, jokingly told Johnson's attorney the Bears tackle isn't likely to have to travel for football. "He won't need to leave the state," Potkonjak said.
Judge says Tank can roll to Super Bowl
Still needs 2nd OK, but Packer fan forecasts playoff loss
January 10, 2007
BY DAN ROZEK Staff Reporter
If the Chicago Bears make it to the Super Bowl, defensive lineman Terry "Tank" Johnson has approval from Lake County authorities to travel to Miami with the team -- but he'll still need an OK from a Cook County judge.
The 25-year-old defensive tackle pleaded not guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor weapons charges in Lake County and was given permission by Judge Theodore Potkonjak to travel outside the state while awaiting trial.
But Potkonjak, a staunch Green Bay Packers fan, jokingly told Johnson's attorney the Bears tackle isn't likely to have to travel for football. "He won't need to leave the state," Potkonjak said.
To travel anywhere, though, including Miami, Johnson would have to win permission from Cook County Judge John J. Moran, who is presiding over a probation violation case Johnson faces in Skokie.
'Still a hypothetical'
Johnson already was on probation for a 2005 misdemeanor weapons conviction in Cook County when he was charged in Lake County with illegally possessing six firearms without a state firearm owners identification card. His Dec. 14 arrest on those charges prompted Cook County prosecutors to file a motion to revoke his probation and have him re-sentenced on the original weapons offense.
With the probation case pending, Moran placed Johnson under 24-hour house arrest and allowed him to leave his Gurnee home only to go to work or court.
Moran would still have to sign off on any out-of-state travel for Johnson, even a trip to the Super Bowl.
Cook County prosecutors could ask Moran to bar Johnson from leaving the state, but a spokeswoman for State's Attorney Richard Devine wouldn't say Tuesday whether prosecutors would make that request if the Bears advance to the Super Bowl.
"That's still a hypothetical situation," spokeswoman Marcy Jensen said.
Trying to 'focus on his job'
Johnson's attorney, meanwhile, said he believes the Lake County charges ultimately will be dropped by prosecutors there. Johnson faces 10 misdemeanor counts of possessing weapons or ammunition without a state FOID card.
"We're confident we have a defense to this," attorney Thomas Briscoe said, declining to offer details. "I don't think it will go to trial -- I think the charges will be dismissed before trial."
Johnson, wearing a gray suit, white shirt and striped tie, attended the Tuesday hearing but spoke only once, answering "yes, sir," when Potkonjak asked him whether he understood the charges and possible penalties. Johnson faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $2,500 fine if convicted.
He left the courtroom without commenting on the charges.
Briscoe said Johnson is trying to "focus on his job" with the Bears but also is coping wi legal problems -- and the recent shooting death of a boyhood friend and bodyguard, 26-year-old Willie Posey.
drozek@suntimes.com
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Don't you just love the professionalism the judge shows.
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Tank's judge a packer fan- says he will not need to leave state..
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