Chris Wilcox Arrested

[HeavyP]

Seattle Supersonics player Chris Wilcox was arrested in Bladen County on weapons charges Saturday evening.

According to reports from the Bladen County Sheriff

[dre_1614]

he won't be on the team much longer.

[HeavyP]

That was my thinking as well. Way to kill your value to this team Chris.

[RiseoftheSonics]

Even though I never particularly liked him, I feel bad for him doing this to himself.

[Patches Pal]

So there was a weapon in the car and the police don't know who it belongs to so they arrested both of them. If it is his he should invest in a concealed weapons permit. This is not a big deal. Half the women in this country have a concealed weapon in their purse.

[RiseoftheSonics]

Yeah but most women are carrying stun guns and this guy is not only carrying a weapon that could kill someone, but also he was charged with TWO counts, so there was more than one weapon, so there is alot behind this than just this initial report.

But also adding to my previous comment, Wilcox is gone. Done, they will trade him or use him and now resign him. We need character on his very young team to go the next level. And carrying weapons with a concealed carry license which are easy to get if you go through the proper channels (unless you've been arrested before) and being arrested aren't good character examples.

[Troy McClure]

But also adding to my previous comment, Wilcox is gone. Done, they will trade him or use him and now resign him. We need character on his very young team to go the next level. And carrying weapons with a concealed carry license which are easy to get if you go through the proper channels (unless you've been arrested before) and being arrested aren't good character examples.

Incoherent.

[wiff]

I hate to rattle cages, but Wilcox got busted for illegal possesion of a fire arm when he was in LA too.

This isn't really that big of a surprise but you would think the guy would have learned to get the proper permits.

This is what happened when he was back in LA......

By Elizabeth Williamson and Eric Prisbell
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, June 28, 2005; Page E04

Los Angeles Clippers forward Chris Wilcox was arrested by Howard County police and charged with transporting a handgun in his vehicle after a police search during a traffic stop early yesterday uncovered a .357 revolver, ammunition and spent shell casings in his car.

Howard County police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said police pulled Wilcox, 22, of Laurel, over at about 1 a.m. after they saw his silver BMW weaving while traveling south on Route 29 in Columbia. Police summoned a K-9 unit.

When the unit's dog called attention to something in the car, officers asked Wilcox if he was carrying anything "they should know about," Llewellyn said. Wilcox told police he had a gun in the car. Police found the revolver, which contained one spent shell casing, in a pocket behind the front passenger seat. Bullets and two other casings were found inside the car. Wilcox, police said, could not produce a permit for the weapon, nor proof that it was his.

Wilcox was charged with transporting a handgun in a vehicle, and was released on his own recognizance by a court commissioner. He was not found to be driving while impaired, Llewellyn said. An adult passenger was not charged.

It was later dismissed

[Patches Pal]

He certainly needs a concealed weapons permit but I don't consider it to be a character issue. He is in North Carolina where carrying guns is much more common and in his case probably necessary for his personal safety.

[Sweezo]

I consider it a character issue in the sense that it demonstrates his overall stupidity. He dodged a bullet (yeah, I know) once before, and the lesson he learns is...make sure you carry two weapons instead of one to make law enforcement's job easier?

He makes poor decisions on the court, so why should things be different off the court? If you've wriggled off the hook before, either [a] don't carry an illegal weapon, [b] know the people you're with well enough so you don't place yourself in a position where they may have a weapon that you could take the fall for, or [c] avoid the type of mental lapses that lead to "routine traffic stop[s]." Common sense.

Is there any reason he wouldn't be eligible for a concealed weapons permit? Any felonies or domestic violence stuff we are not aware of? Do we even know if the weapon was a gun? I don't think the report makes it clear...I see the term "concealed weapon" which, in my experience, could mean a certain type of knife or brass knuckles...

He is in North Carolina where carrying guns is much more common and in his case probably necessary for his personal safety.

...and murders are more common in inner cities. What's your point? If he can't carry a weapon legally, he shouldn't carry a damn weapon.

And what's with the statement about it being "probably necessary" for his personal safety? What leads you to that conclusion?

If he actually does have a reason to fear for his life, there's plenty of legal options available to him such as registering for a concealed weapons permit, carrying a non-lethal weapon, or hiring a proper bodyguard who can adequately defend him by any means necessary. The problem is some of those actually take a little bit of effort and thought...

[Patches Pal]

I grew up in Seattle where people are pretty tolerate of one another. Then I moved to Houston. I lived there six years and was mugged twice and had my car broken into twice, as well. We live in a special world in Seattle. Not all of the country is safe. I also bought a weapon for my personal safety. If I cannot exit a restaurant in an upscale neighborhood without encountering trouble what is a well known, multi million dollar athlete like Wilcox going to encounter in the hood. He is going to be a target for every punk in town. I would consider him stupid not to have a weapon. And yes, he should travel with a wing man whenever he can.

[yearsago]

There goes his trade value.

[Sweezo]

I grew up in Seattle where people are pretty tolerate of one another. Then I moved to Houston. I lived there six years and was mugged twice and had my car broken into twice, as well. We live in a special world in Seattle. Not all of the country is safe. I also bought a weapon for my personal safety. If I cannot exit a restaurant in an upscale neighborhood without encountering trouble what is a well known, multi million dollar athlete like Wilcox going to encounter in the hood. He is going to be a target for every punk in town. I would consider him stupid not to have a weapon. And yes, he should travel with a wing man whenever he can.

Being a victim of a crime is not an excuse for then committing one yourself. Poor logic. I've been a victim of property crime too, and I deal with people charged with illegal weapons charges (from misdemeanor to federal) constantly. There's no excuse for it.

But there's a big difference between buying a weapon for protection, and carrying a weapon illegally. Did you purchase your weapon legally? Carry it legally? If so, you should be upset for having to go through that process while others completely ignore.

Wilcox is a millionaire. A concealed weapons permit costs $30 where I live. A decent handgun between $400-$500. If he can afford a handgun, or two, then he can afford to go down to the local sheriff's office, plunk over the fee, and fill out a form. I have no sympathy for him.

[Joel Embust]

I grew up in Seattle where people are pretty tolerate of one another. Then I moved to Houston. I lived there six years and was mugged twice and had my car broken into twice, as well. We live in a special world in Seattle. Not all of the country is safe. I also bought a weapon for my personal safety. If I cannot exit a restaurant in an upscale neighborhood without encountering trouble what is a well known, multi million dollar athlete like Wilcox going to encounter in the hood. He is going to be a target for every punk in town. I would consider him stupid not to have a weapon. And yes, he should travel with a wing man whenever he can.

+1

At least you know what you're talking about.

[jenn_gp]

This goes against what the majority has been saying in this thread, but I don't think this will get him offf the team. Since when has this ownership group showed us they care about the character of the players?

IMO they haven't made that a big issue...on a lighter note, I'd say this will keep him around simply because it might scare off some fans from attending games (YES, I'm kidding).

[Patches Pal]

He certainly needs a concealed weapons permit.

This is the second stop, however, where it appears there was no probable cause. He wasn't charged with DUI or even a traffic offense as far as we know and he was cooperative. Yet, they searched his car. In both cases he wasn't out alone, which is smart. So his 'crime' was failure to complete the paperwork and being a high profile guy with a BMW. This makes it pretty easy to understand why the police have such a bad reputation with the black community.

[Argyle]

This isn't the end of the world.

And besides, if you'd been abused and mistreated by someone like Clay Bennett wouldn't you feel the need to carry a gun for your protection?

OR

What if he has the gun to "take care" of Clay and his whole plan was foiled? WHAT IF CHRIS WILCOX WANTED TO BE OUR SAVIOR????

/all hail wheezy

[CatchNShoot]

Free Chris Wilcox! These charges are trumped up! To wit:

1. He's not a great shot.

2. He's incapable of stealing.

3. He's allergic to the (cell) block.

4. He doesn't need illegal defense.

5. He won't take the charge(s).

6. He never played for the Bullets

So there.

[Sweezo]

This is the second stop, however, where it appears there was no probable cause.

Do you have access to the police report? On what are you basing your statement about there being no PC? I've looked online and do not see that a report's been released to the public yet.

He wasn't charged with DUI or even a traffic offense as far as we know and he was cooperative.

Again, do you have a police report? On what are you basing your assertion that he was being cooperative? How do you define 'cooperative?'

So his 'crime' was failure to complete the paperwork and being a high profile guy with a BMW.

No, if he carried an illegal weapon, the circumstances around it don't make it any less illegal even if it is dismissed for lack of probable cause. A crime still can be committed even if there's no conviction to show for it...

You're trying to apply moral judgments in an area where moral judgments really aren't worth a whole lot...unless twelve jurors buy said moral judgment because of apathy or ignorance.

This makes it pretty easy to understand why the police have such a bad reputation with the black community.

...and then you top it off with a race-based judgment. Well done.

At least you know what you're talking about.

And on what are you basing this determination?

So far I see a poster who's made statements regarding a possible criminal charge who's making claims about probable cause, Wilcox's safety, and many other things about which he hasn't demonstrated any first-hand knowledge, or other appreciable knowledge, which would make his opinion appear to be the slightest bit legitimate.

[BBen]

I think as far as the criminal aspect of this is concerned, Wilcox probably would have screwed up bad if he wasn't rich. It's ok for him though because he can afford the expensive lawyers required to make this go away. Therefore this is simply a costly joyride for Wilcox at this stage in his life (it may become a problem later when he's retired and doesn't have the big paychecks anymore).

The problem is that this is definitely going to mean a big reduction on his "trade price tag" if you'll allow me to invent that concept. If he was a 50 dollar bill before then now he's a dub and a five spot. There's no question in my mind the other gms will use this as a leverage point in any deal that includes Wilcox.