By PHATLAW Staff

The Former Atlanta Falcons’ Quarterback is scheduled for sentencing on December 10, 2007 on federal dogfighting conspiracy charges. However, the Former Highest Paid Football Player surrendered to U.S. Marshals on Monday, undoubtedly because he was anticipating a jail term. Vick’s involvement in the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting conspiracy could land him in jail for up to 5 years.

QB 1’s decision to begin serving a prison term prior to sentencing was approved by the judge and by Vick’s lawyers. Billy Martin, one of Vick’s highly paid mouth pieces, said in a statement: “Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter, and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time.”

PHATLAW does not believe that there are any direct legal benefits to No. 7’s decision to turn himself in early. Instead, Vick’s decision was probably motivated by avoiding the media onslaught that was sure to surround the court house on Dec. 10th and to get him back to playing football sooner rather than later. Also, turning himself in early may lead to the judge’s leniency in sentencing.

PhatThought: Only time will tell if this Hail Mary will result in a victory for Vick in the form of a light sentence.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

O.J. Simpson appeared in court on Thursday to face multiple felony charges. The felony charges include kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and coercion. If these charges weren’t bad enough, The Juice is set to face a mounting list of accomplices who have copped a plea in exchange for their testimony against the Hall of Famer.

O.J.’s biggest problem at this court appearance will be the testimony of Bruce Fromong. PHATLAW readers may recall that Fromong is the sports memorabilia dealer and an alleged victim to the Las Vegas Heist of September. Undoubtedly, Fromong will testify that Simpson was part of the Gang of Thieves who stole his stuff from his Palace Station Casino hotel room.

Convictions on all the charges could land the Former Running Back in jail for life.

PhatThought: Looks like the “If the Glove Don’t Fit, You Must Acquit” Defense won’t work this time.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

TMZ photogs recently caught Al Cowlings (aka the infamous white bronco driver of 1997) leaving a Hollywood eatery and asked the all too important questions: “So, you still friends with O.J.?” Instead of admitting his friendship with The Juice, The Infamous One simply smirked and shied away from the camera. When asked what he thought about what happened in Vegas with O.J - again, Cowlings provided no comment.

PhatThought: Wow, what a difference a double murder and 10 years can do to a friendship.

PHATLAW will continue to update the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

Canadian prosecutors withdrew a pending assault charge against the original but lesser known “vampire slayer” Kristy Swanson.  As PHATLAW first reported, Swanson was charged in June with assaulting Marcia O’Brien, the ex-wife of her baby’s daddy Lloyd Eisler.  Eisler and Swanson met and fell in love while skating partners on FOX’s “Skating with Celebrities.”  Eisler was married at the time to the then pregnant O’Brien.In reaction to the news, Swanson reportedly remarked that  ”[t]his never should have happened and our family can move on.”  Sure Kristy, bad things shouldn’t happen when you steal someone’s husband and get pregnant with his love child.  Come on.  You have got to be kidding.

PhatThought:  Apparently, Ms. Swanson is not familiar with the expression that “you reap what you sow.” 

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case. 

By PHATLAW Staff

“Prison Break” star, Lane Garrison, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for the drunk driving accident that killed 17 year old Vahagn Setian. Even though Judge Elden Fox believed Garrison was remorseful, he sentenced the star to prison because “the public needs to know crimes like this need to be punished and, unfortunately, you have to be the messenger.”

The Judge’s sentence was undoubtedly influenced by Garrison’s genuine remorsefulness, lack of prior criminal history, and admitted responsibility. Garrison will get credit for the 91 days he has already served. The 91 day credit and California’s Work Time/Good Time early release program will likely reduce Garrison’s prison term to about 20 months.

Garrison’s actions have devastated the lives of 3 families. In addition to his prison sentence, Garrison must also pay close to $300K to the Setian family and to the two girls who were in the car at the time of the accident.

PhatThought: Finally, some Celebrity Justice!

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

Pamela Anderson’s ex, Kid Rock (real name Bob Ritchie) was arrested this weekend following an alleged scuffle at an Atlanta Waffle House.  The scuffle took place around 5 a.m.

The rap-rocker and his entourage visited the Waffle House following a sold out show in Atlanta.  Apparently, a male customer at the restaurant recognized a female accompanying Rock’s crew and words were exchanged resulting in an alleged physical altercation.

Rock and several members of his entourage were taken into custody facing simple battery charges (a misdemeanor).  The male customer was arrested for allegedly smashing a window of the restaurant (a felony).

The male customer was reportedly treated at a nearby hospital for cuts and bruises.  And, PHATLAW speculates—a bruised ego.  Imagine this:  you are sitting in your favorite late night eatery after a night of binge-drinking and general awesomeness when in walks some trasher (Rock—he is from Detroit after all) and his buddies—and they are with your ex-girlfriend!  You make a casual remark to Kid Rock about her proclivity for certain sexual practices…and BAM!!  You are on the receiving end of a beat down while your skillet gets cold.

Then, to make matters worse….you are arrested for a felony because your assailants used your head to smash the restaurant’s window!  Burn.  Where not saying this is exactly how it happened, but what if!?

PhatThought:  How long until this Waffle House Kid sues Kid Rock???

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, a man who may or may not have been involved in Tupac’s death, is in possible hot water stemming from an alleged assault late Saturday night at New York club Kiosk.

Several sources report the alleged incident occurred around 3-3:30am Sunday morning.  Diddy and Steven Acevedo were allegedly arguing over a women when Diddy allegedly punched Steven in the face.  Another reliable source, who claims to have witnessed the entire incident from another VIP table at Kiosk reports that Diddy was wearing rollerskates during the attack and dressed as Princess Leia….and by reliable we mean unreliable, and by source we mean Tech Support.

Certain sources have reported the NY police were considering arresting Piddy and charging him with third degree assault.  However, TMZ reports that Diddy and Steven were at the same table at NY club Butter last night and a member of Diddy’s entourage may or may not have threatened Steven with a handgun to ensure his silence.

Diddy’s lawyer, Benji Brafman, claims Diddy is not going to be arrested nor charged with any criminal misconduct and that this was simply a “disagreement amongst acquaintances.”  Well, Benji—we here at PHATLAW recall another little disagreement amongst three acquaintances—O.J. Simpson, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman.  And while some may brush off that “disagreement” as a little tiff amongst friends, we still call it murder!  In the same vein, even if a friend punches another friend in the face—it can still constitute assault and/or battery.

PhatThought:  Diddy needs to watch it—earlier this month a hip-hop promoter filed a $5 million dollar lawsuit claiming Diddy had his bodyguards beat the promoter up.  Perhaps he should adopt a more skillful means of exacting revenge on his enemies.  PHATLAW suggests prank phone calls or having Tech Support send computer viruses via email attachments.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

PHATLAW sources reveal that Inga Marchand, aka Foxy Brown, appeared in court today for her arraignment on assault charges. PHATLAW readers will recall that Foxy has also been charged with battery stemming from an August 14th incident wherein she smacked a woman with her phone. The Not So Foxy Lady is back in court in December to face the music on those battery charges. Until then, The Lady Rapper is spending these days in Rikers until all her legal drama can be worked out with the court. With charges of assault and battery looming over her, Brown faces years in jail.

PhatThought: In order to survive Rikers, Foxy should go by her given name Inga in order to give her the air of toughness. Foxy just sounds like a candy ass and will likely subject her to (at the very least) taunts from the women of Rikers. Those women are rough!!!!!!!!!

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

Walter Alexander is yet another co-defendant who is going to sing against O.J. Simpson. PHATLAW readers will recall that Alexander was involved in the Las Vegas heist last month of sports memorabilia of The Juice. In exchange for his testimony against the HEISMAN trophy winner and three other co-defendants, this Singing Canary will plead guilty to a lesser charge.

PHATLAW readers will recall that The Juice and his Gang of Thieves are charged with more than 10 different crimes, including kidnapping and armed robbery.

PhatThought: Well if you can’t get the Hall of Famer for murder, PHATLAW guesses that a long jail sentence related to armed robbery will do the trick.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.

By PHATLAW Staff

PHATLAW has learned that Charles Cashmore is scheduled to plead guilty on charges related to his participation in the Las Vegas heist of O.J. Simpson sports memorabilia. PHATLAW readers will recall that Simpson and five others allegedly robbed two sports memorabilia dealers in the City of Sin on September 13th. As a result, the Gang of Thieves were charged with armed robbery, assault, burglary, kidnapping, and conspiracy.

Cashmore, aka The Singing Canary, is scheduled to plead guilty to a reduced charge in exchange for his testimony against The Juice and four other co-defendants. Cashmore will likely plead guilty to accessory to robbery. Such a plea could get him up to 5 years in the slammer. In exchange for the reduced charge, Cashmore will testify that Simpson and two others were armed during last month’s encounter.

PhatThought: With a canary like Cashmore, what happens in Vegas definitely does not stay in Vegas.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.