Posted on 02/12/2009 9:26:50 AM PST by lewisglad
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Authorities in the South Carolina county where Michael Phelps was photographed smoking from a marijuana pipe have been arresting people as they seek to make a case against the superstar swimmer, lawyers for two arrested people said Thursday.
Attorneys Joseph McCulloch and Dick Harpootlian told The Associated Press they each represent a client charged with possession of marijuana who were questioned about the party Phelps attended near the University of South Carolina campus in November.
The lawyers said the two clients were renters at the house where the party apparently took place. Harpootlian said his client was at the party, but didn’t see Phelps smoke marijuana, while McCulloch said his client wasn’t there. The two have since moved and were arrested after police executed a search warrant at their new home and accused them of having a small amount of marijuana there.
“After they arrested him, they didn’t ask him, ’Where did you get the marijuana?’ or ’Who sold it to you?’ Almost all the questions they asked him were about Michael Phelps,” Harpootlian said.
The lawyers would not name their clients, who each face up to 30 days in jail and a $200 fine if convicted on the pending charges.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department would not comment on the lawyers’ remarks.
“As soon as we’re ready to release information on this case we will and we’re still in the middle of this investigation,” said Lt. Chris Cowan.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcsports.msnbc.com ...
More prosecutors with nothing useful to do.
I guess they have to do it, but one can imagine the cops might be more effective if they went after violent criminals.
Go catch a damn criminal, idiots.
I really don't care if this Phelps character lives or dies or smokes pot or eats peyote, but it's truly ridiculous for a prosecutor and cops to pursue this under these circumstances.
Another butthead(s) looking for a name for themselves.
I hate political crap like this.
I feel so much safer now!
Procesutor trying to make a name for himself, no doubt. But hey, it’s only taxpayer money, no biggie. We wanted change and we’re getting it.
I wonder if one of the “perps” is the guy who set Phelps up?
I thought that was an offense where the officers had to SEE the offender with their own eyes...I think they missed that part of the party!
But since when do police go on a huge evidence gathering witch hunt because a photograph of someone offers a hint that they were doing something illegal? How about holding two fingers, pinched togther, up to the lips -- the way Obama has done? Is he holding a joint? Is he? Is he? Let's go do some interviews and see if we can build a case! Yee-Haw!
This is ridiculous. Phelps was holding a bong. That's enought o generate some criticism and public shame -- but not nearly enough to prove evidence of drug use.
The potential Phelps prosecution reminds me of what the IRS does in the month before each April 15th — the grab a few high profile people to put them through the ringer in order to deter the public at-large from taking small liberties on their income taxes.
I don’t see any smoke in the bong either!
Besides, what if he didn't inhale?
As SNL said “Good job US swimming for suspending Phelps for those three months. That’ll keep him from competing in the highly regarded ‘not the olympics’” LOL.
My gawd....don’t they have anything better to spend our tax dollars doing....oh wait, the stimulus bill $$ have not been distributed yet....
Political hacks all!! Headline seeking, they look to strap a big name pelt to their collection.
Disgusting. Jackals.
End the “War on Drugs.” End all taxpayer-funded “Drug Programs.” End government schools, where good children of good parents are raised in huge litters with scumbag children of scumbag parents.
Tell parents: It’s your job to raise your children.
Good parents will protect their children. Bad parents will allow their children to kill themselves.
Trillions of dollars saved. Gene pool improved. Problem solved.
I guess they have to do it, but one can imagine the cops might be more effective if they went after violent criminals.”
Not to mention the illegal aliens.
If they want to become famous - they should go on American Idol and stop wasting taxpayer money to get publicity while ruining people's lives.
Whata crock of crap.
So he took a hit off a bong, imagine the horror, the horror I tell you.
I think it's time to legalize the stuff and get it over with. Scaring a persons life over something like this is just more big brother government.
Besides, I wonder if the prosecutor will go home after a hard day at the office and slam back a couple of stiff drinks.
Damn hypocrites.
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