01-31-2006, 06:20 PM
Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com explains that the arrest of receiver Chris Henry on multiple weapons charges could expose him to a suspension, given that the arrest occurred while Henry already was in the league's substance abuse program by virtue of his December 2005 arrest for marijuana possession.
It could be the least of Henry's problems.
Redskins safety Sean Taylor faces similar charges in Florida, but his chances of an acquittal are significant. It will be hard for a jury to find proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, given that the prosecution's evidence comes from guys who allegedly had stolen Taylor's ATV. With the key witnesses at odds over the question of whether Taylor pointed a gun, the jury easily could throw up its collective hands and let Taylor walk.
In contrast, Henry was caught red-handed by . . . a cop. Unless the defense can make the whole Mark Fuhrman thing stick, it's highly unlikely that the juror will disregard the officer's sworn account, which likely will be corroborated by members of the group at whom the gun allegedly was pointed -- or by some of the people who were with Henry. Indeed, the official police report indicates that one of the members of Henry's group told police that "Henry had the firearm because they came to the [nearby] club last week and had problems."
Meanwhile, it turns out that the one fact we regarded as conclusive proof that the story was bogus when it was handed to us on Sunday morning turns out to be accurate. In an e-mail, the tipster told us: "Chris Henry arrested in Orlando for possession of a stolen handgun. He was about to point it at someone but was arrested at gunpoint before doing so. He was wearing his Bengal jersey while doing so."
Wearing his Bengal jersey? Riiiiiiiiight.
Um. Take a gander at his mugshot, courtesy of WCPO:
![[Image: HenryMugshot.jpg]](http://www.profootballtalk.com/HenryMugshot.jpg)
Looks like a Bengals jersey to us. So unless it was a Bob Trumpy throwback or something, our guess is that Chris was honoring himself on the same night that he likely ruined his career, and perhaps his life.
It could be the least of Henry's problems.
Redskins safety Sean Taylor faces similar charges in Florida, but his chances of an acquittal are significant. It will be hard for a jury to find proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, given that the prosecution's evidence comes from guys who allegedly had stolen Taylor's ATV. With the key witnesses at odds over the question of whether Taylor pointed a gun, the jury easily could throw up its collective hands and let Taylor walk.
In contrast, Henry was caught red-handed by . . . a cop. Unless the defense can make the whole Mark Fuhrman thing stick, it's highly unlikely that the juror will disregard the officer's sworn account, which likely will be corroborated by members of the group at whom the gun allegedly was pointed -- or by some of the people who were with Henry. Indeed, the official police report indicates that one of the members of Henry's group told police that "Henry had the firearm because they came to the [nearby] club last week and had problems."
Meanwhile, it turns out that the one fact we regarded as conclusive proof that the story was bogus when it was handed to us on Sunday morning turns out to be accurate. In an e-mail, the tipster told us: "Chris Henry arrested in Orlando for possession of a stolen handgun. He was about to point it at someone but was arrested at gunpoint before doing so. He was wearing his Bengal jersey while doing so."
Wearing his Bengal jersey? Riiiiiiiiight.
Um. Take a gander at his mugshot, courtesy of WCPO:
Looks like a Bengals jersey to us. So unless it was a Bob Trumpy throwback or something, our guess is that Chris was honoring himself on the same night that he likely ruined his career, and perhaps his life.
