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Pot charge possible after Phelps' pipe photo
The Associated Press ^ | 02/03/2009 | Meg Kinnard

Posted on 02/03/2009 1:45:19 PM PST by King of Card Games

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Olympic superstar Michael Phelps could face criminal charges as part of the fallout from a photo that surfaced showing the swimmer smoking from a marijuana pipe at a University of South Carolina house party.

A spokesman for Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who is known for his tough stance on drugs, said Tuesday the department was investigating.

"Our narcotics division is reviewing the information that we have, and they're investigating what charges, if any, will be filed," said Lt. Chris Cowan, a spokesman for agency.

(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; US: South Carolina
KEYWORDS: marijuana; michaelphelps; phelps; pot; potheads; whyitscalleddope; wod
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To: Isabel C.
The DA would have to prove that it was actually Phelps in the photo, that marijuana was actually in the bong, and that Phelps actually smoked it.

Honestly, I didn't think it looked much like him from the picture. :-)

41 posted on 02/03/2009 2:09:21 PM PST by MamaTexan (I am not a political, public, collective, corporate, administrative or legal entity)
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To: King of Card Games
This is mostly bad PR for Michael Phelps.

The photo doesn't have the strength of evidence that can prove he smoked marijuana, but, considered along with Phelps abject apology, it sure seems that way. He never denied the assumption that he was smoking pot. So, very likely no criminal charges will ensue but this won't help Phelps's merchandise himself. Towering achievements in sports (his 8 Olympic gold metals for swimming) and sucking marijuana smoke into your lungs tend to be somewhat incompatible.

Some conservatives characterizing Michael Phelp's alleged pot smoking as of no consequence and irrelevant demonstrates how far the U.S. has gone down the road toward moral bankruptcy. This young man is a famous, highly acclaimed athlete and his sucking up what is very likely marijuana smoke sends the same old corrupting message that getting high is 'cool' and nothing to be concerned about. See, even political conservatives agree! Sad.

42 posted on 02/03/2009 2:11:00 PM PST by Jim Scott (Do not go gentle into that good night)
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To: King of Card Games
He sort of admitted it. It was too obvious and lying would have made he look worse. However, I do not believe he can be charged on the basis of a photo. However, there might be more evidence, and the law is forced to investigate. This was so in-your-face.

I can't believe he could be so stupid as to do it at a party. There are always envious people who would love to bring him down. Whatever, many parents worried about drug use by their children would not now buy a cereal with his picture.

Then you have the nitwit Jane Valdez Mitchells who bemoan, "We should not be judgmental." You have people committing crimes and we should not be judgemental. This was echoed by Lisa Bloom looking weird in her Farah Fawcett wig. Hate to think Jane or Lisa serving on a jury.

43 posted on 02/03/2009 2:19:15 PM PST by apocalypto
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To: King of Card Games
WOD claims another successful victim.

Any damage the pot would have caused him pales in comparison to the legal damage caused by this ignorant war.

The only real problems that pot has caused ANYONE successful is legal trouble and other issues stemming from being illegal.

44 posted on 02/03/2009 2:29:56 PM PST by varyouga (People silently freezing in Kentucky. Obama doesn't care about white people!)
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To: King of Card Games

So, why doesn’t this Sheriff go after the current occupant of the White House? He has admitted to pot and cocaine use in his own biography that Bill Ayers wrote for him. Why play favorites?


45 posted on 02/03/2009 2:35:14 PM PST by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life ;o)
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To: SmallGovRepub

Just another politician sheriff trying to get his puss in the media. In the meantime, I suspect burglars in his county are having a hayday.


46 posted on 02/03/2009 2:45:01 PM PST by CdMGuy
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To: autumnraine

With that, he wasn’t read his Miranda rights when he gave the statement. Inadmissible in court.

People who are cheering this need to think about what each did years ago. The statute of limitations was just suspended in discrimination cases. It can be suspended for anything.

I certainly hope no one got a picture of me smoking oregano in 1980. It could come back to haunt me.


47 posted on 02/03/2009 2:46:04 PM PST by netmilsmom (Psalm 109:8 - Let his days be few; and let another take his office)
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To: King of Card Games
Didn’t Phelps already admit to it?

Not under oath

48 posted on 02/03/2009 2:47:59 PM PST by Oztrich Boy (This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel - Horace Walpole)
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To: King of Card Games

I’m not saying they would get pot legalized, I’m saying it would draw unneccessary attention to a silly trial. I don’t mean they would make it legal.


49 posted on 02/03/2009 2:51:44 PM PST by autumnraine
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To: RKV

Geeeez he’s aa friggin 23 year old kid who for the first time probably has a lot of attention and girls and lots of money ..BIG DEAL he smoked some pot. Most politicians use heavier stuff than that . You can’t bust anyone from a picture , how stupid. The same folks slamming this kid will defend their precious IV drug using baseball stars to the hilt.


50 posted on 02/03/2009 2:51:46 PM PST by sonic109
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To: RC one

Phelps was arreted for drunk driving four years ago. He may have already ruined his life in regard to substance abuse.

No one’s fault but his own.


51 posted on 02/03/2009 2:53:50 PM PST by vladimir998 (Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. St. Jerome)
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To: netmilsmom

Yeah, I was thinking kind of along those lines myself.

God knows if someone takes what I did 17 years ago and holds it against me in a court of law.


52 posted on 02/03/2009 2:54:46 PM PST by autumnraine
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To: autumnraine

Honestly, someone needs to get the kid a set of handlers and tell him that if you’re going to smoke something, at least put it in a Zig Zag, for heaven’s sake!!!


53 posted on 02/03/2009 2:56:41 PM PST by netmilsmom (Psalm 109:8 - Let his days be few; and let another take his office)
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To: King of Card Games
"Our narcotics division is reviewing the information that we have, and they're investigating what charges, if any, will be filed,"

Translation: make a nice donation to the police department and this will all go away....

54 posted on 02/03/2009 2:56:50 PM PST by jdub
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To: King of Card Games

oh please

Rome burns and we worry about this shite


55 posted on 02/03/2009 2:57:24 PM PST by wardaddy (Free Republis is as moderate as I've ever seen, why is that?)
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To: Lizavetta
There's a caption here but I'm too tired to think of anything. Perhaps Freepers can contribute.

smoked tuna

56 posted on 02/03/2009 2:59:09 PM PST by RckyRaCoCo (Liberal media gloating makes me feel like reloading)
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To: netmilsmom
I certainly hope no one got a picture of me smoking oregano in 1980. It could come back to haunt me. ....With an unending craving for pizza?
57 posted on 02/03/2009 3:01:25 PM PST by Sarajevo (You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.)
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To: netmilsmom

You are right.


58 posted on 02/03/2009 3:01:41 PM PST by autumnraine
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To: vladimir998

The Dell guy, who was funny, was dropped right away from the commercials after he was caught with pot. I guess because Phelps is an athlete, he gets more lenient treatment.


59 posted on 02/03/2009 3:01:52 PM PST by apocalypto
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To: sonic109

You wrote:

“Geeeez he’s aa friggin 23 year old kid who for the first time probably has a lot of attention and girls and lots of money ..”

So what was his excuse four years ago when he was arrested for drunk driving?

And by the way, he had plenty of money then too, and girls for that matter. He was already an olympic champion after all.

After his arrest he said: “I’m 19, but was taught that no matter how old you are, you take responsibility for actions, which I will do.”

Clearly he’s not only a TERRIBLE hypocrite, but a moron.


60 posted on 02/03/2009 3:05:46 PM PST by vladimir998 (Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. St. Jerome)
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