Lawrence Taylor arrested for rape

[moonpie23]

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5167613

[ReformedAggie]

doesn't this reflect more on the man, not the program?

[ChrisP]

In light of the Duke LAX mess, we should all reserve judgment until all the facts become clear but...this doesn't sound good. Lawrence Taylor (who is 51) has been charged with third-degree rape of a FIFTEEN year old.

First of all, I honestly didn't know there were different kinds of rape in the eyes of the law. What the heck is third-degree rape anyway?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36987069/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

[Duvall]

Should we be principally concerned with UNC's image here?

[BD80]

51 year-old man. 15 year-old girl.

Third degree rape, so it is "statutory."

Stupid is as stupid does.

[moonpie23]

well, there's guilt by association......if one of duke's stars were arrested, there would be the same association...

this is a high profile unc supporter, shown often in visits on the sidelines of the unc sporting events...

[Kedsy]

First of all, I honestly didn't know there were different kinds of rape in the eyes of the law. What the heck is third-degree rape anyway?

It is consensual sex with a minor.

[DevilWearsPrada]

Taylor is a sick man. Didn't he have issues with drugs and alcohol abuse??? Wasn't Taylor on Dancing with the Stars??? He sacked Thiesman and ended his career?

[BlueDevilBaby]

Taylor is a sick man. Didn't he have issues with drugs and alcohol abuse??? Wasn't Taylor on Dancing with the Stars??? He sacked Thiesman and ended his career?

"What was wrong with that?", asked the Giants fan. It's not like LT broke JT's leg on purpose.

Honestly, I wish it never happened because (1) it did end JT's career, and (2) it made me physically ill at the time and the thought of it still does.

[-bdbd]

"What was wrong with that?", asked the Giants fan. It's not like LT broke JT's leg on purpose.

Honestly, I wish it never happened because (1) it did end JT's career, and (2) it made me physically ill at the time and the thought of it still does.

Yeah, (the real tragedy was when) we then all had to endure years of JT in the broadcast booth.... said the 'skins fan...


;)

[Starter]

I met LT randomly back in December and wrote something (http://www.sportsangle.com/2009/12/the-afternoon-after-greatness-randomly-pays-a-visit-to-houlihans/) about it at the time. Looking back, he seemed like a bit of a weird dude in that he didn't seem to want to shake my hand. I understand he didn't want to be bothered, but he wasn't eating at the time and I didn't ask for an autograph or even a picture. I just wanted to shake hands with one of the greatest football players ever. Assuming this report is true, and I think you can assume that, he never really got over his demons, I guess. It really is a shame that someone so talented couldn't get past these darker aspects of his life.

[hurleyfor3]

"What was wrong with that?", asked the Giants fan.

Seeing ABC reply it 23984756982375698 times when it happened, that's what was wrong with it.

[hurleyfor3]

Looking back, he seemed like a bit of a weird dude in that he didn't seem to want to shake my hand. I understand he didn't want to be bothered, but he wasn't eating at the time and I didn't ask for an autograph or even a picture.

There may have been a previous incident where a handshake or some other casual, even friendly contact led to other allegations. You really have to keep your guard up as a celebrity, especially one such as LT with a rap sheet. It is common for male celebrities to get out of an elevator if a woman they don't know gets on, for example.

[Starter]

Yeah, you have a point. I mean, I gave him a pass on it. He just acted weird, I thought.

[coldriver10]

I have a question for the lawyers on the board.

More details have come out about this case, and it seems that the alleged victim ran away from home at 15 and has been living with an adult in the Bronx (she is now 16). He took her, against her will, to have sex with LT in the middle of the night. LT then paid the man $300.

My question is, why is LT just being charged with statutory rape? Why isn't it first degree rape considering this entire event was against the victim's will? Is it just because they think 3rd degree assault will be a slam dunk? It just seems wrong that the charge isn't more severe.

[Turtleboy]

It is consensual sex with a minor.Apparently that's not possible in New York.

From the linked article :
"We're not happy with what took place, but our detectives have made the arrest and processed the scene," St. Lawrence said.

St. Lawrence also said sex with a 16-year-old cannot be consensual in New York state.

[left_hook_lacey]

well, there's guilt by association......if one of duke's stars were arrested, there would be the same association...

this is a high profile unc supporter, shown often in visits on the sidelines of the unc sporting events...

I'm not sure he was a high profile supporter, at least not as far as on-campus activities. This past season is the first time I can remember him being on the UNC sidelines at a football game.

ESPN made a big deal out of it last year because LT was on the sidelines of the UNC vs. Florida State game in CH-Hill. The announcers said the reason it was such a big deal was because LT rarely made appearances at UNC football games, especially on the sidelines with the team where the cameras could see him.

I heard rumors through different circles that the school had limited LT's access to the team over the years because of his past troubles with drugs and the law but that decided to let him come because he seemed to be on the road to recovery and thought it would be a good boost for the team and for LT for him to be in the locker room.

Colin Cowherd said on his show today that the rumor around ESPN was that LT was jacked up out of his mind at that game and that everyone could tell and there was a feeling of sadness from the ESPN crew because they all thought that one of the greatest ever had cleaned up his act. Guess his demons finally got the best of him this time because if he's guilty, he'll be up the river for a while considering his past infractions. I think he's still on federal probation for tax evasion.

[Dukeface88]

It is consensual sex with a minor.

Isn't sex with a minor always non-consensual, since minors can't give consent?

[allenmurray]

Isn't sex with a minor always non-consensual, since minors can't give consent?

Yes, unless both parties are minors, then difference in age comes in to play.

[phaedrus]

Isn't sex with a minor always non-consensual, since minors can't give consent?

It's legally non-consensual, but actually consensual. That's why it's not first-degree rape (presumably).

[Dukeface88]

It's legally non-consensual, but actually consensual. That's why it's not first-degree rape (presumably).

This makes about as much sense to me as saying that sex with someone given Rohypnol is legally non-consensual, but actually consensual.

I'm probably getting off topic though.

[Tappan Zee Devil]

I live in Rockland County (although at the other end of the county). What the local media are saying is that she didn't want to have sex with LT, but her pimp beat her until she was willing - apparently in his hotel room (and thus presumably in his presence).
I don't know that is true, but it is what is being circulated locally.
Apparently whatever happened upset her enough that, although a runaway, she found a way to contact her family afterwards, which is what brought the police (again according to the local media).

Also, if I heard his lawyer's name correctly, I think he may be our former DA

[gofurman]

Didn't LT admit to buying prostitutes for many other football players on the opposing teams the night before the game (the opposing players did not necessarily know they were prostitutes) so as to keep them up as long as possible and wear them out

yes:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/10/60minutes/main642605.shtml

[davekay1971]

As noted above, we can't assume guilt based on early reports. However...

Not only was the girl markedly underage, but, according to the reports I've read, this Davis guy beat her and forced her to go to Taylor's hotel room. He then paid her $300 which she handed over to Davis. Hardly sounds consensual at any level.

If these reports are true, these are incredibly despicable acts on the part of both Taylor and Davis.

[left_hook_lacey]

As noted above, we can't assume guilt based on early reports. However...

Not only was the girl markedly underage, but, according to the reports I've read, this Davis guy beat her and forced her to go to Taylor's hotel room. He then paid her $300 which she handed over to Davis. Hardly sounds consensual at any level.

If these reports are true, these are incredibly despicable acts on the part of both Taylor and Davis.

Taylor's lawyer and agent were on the Today show this morning. They said Taylor plans to enter a "not guilty" plea and fight all counts brought against him. Doesn't that mean he could be innocent? Or is this just another case of a celebrity thinking he can wiggle out of something?

[bass-piscator]

I'm not going to comment re: his guilt or innocense but everything I've ever read about LT indicated he was a scumbag.

[calvindog]

I'm a criminal attorney in NYC. LT was charged with a low-level felony and will most likely plead it down to a misdemeanor with no jail time. Only an insane person would take this to trial unless he was fairly certain he'd be acquitted. Or an insane lawyer who likes to see himself on TV.

[dukejim1]

Calvindog, I understand what you are saying but would there be political or public backlash if this is plea bargained to a misdemeanor. The visibility of this case seems to me to take it out of a "business as normal" or practical process that this type of case would normally take.

[coldriver10]

Taylor's lawyer and agent were on the Today show this morning. They said Taylor plans to enter a "not guilty" plea and fight all counts brought against him. Doesn't that mean he could be innocent? Or is this just another case of a celebrity thinking he can wiggle out of something?
It's hard to say he could be innocent when he's already "confessed"...when LT was arrested, he admitted to having sex with the girl. Of course, it's not admissible because a lawyer wasn't present, and of course his lawyer is going to argue that he was pressured into making a statement or some other such BS, but that pretty much removes any doubt in my mind that the charges brought against him aren't unfounded.

[Tappan Zee Devil]

It's hard to say he could be innocent when he's already "confessed"...when LT was arrested, he admitted to having sex with the girl. Of course, it's not admissible because a lawyer wasn't present, and of course his lawyer is going to argue that he was pressured into making a statement or some other such BS, but that pretty much removes any doubt in my mind that the charges brought against him aren't unfounded.

I just heard LT's lawyer interviewed on the radio (he is certainly making the rounds) and he said there was contact, but no sex between LT and the girl :confused:

[jdj4duke]

I understand that the story here involves a famous alum (I assume he graduated but maybe not) of our rival, but does it really belong on the Duke Basketball Report Main Board? There is plenty on good ol' Lawrence (I refuse to call him LT and besmirch Lance's call sign) all over the radio, tv, and newpapers. I don't think we need him around these parts.

[Devilsfan]

I love it. The lastest in unc "poster boys". What a memorable day for the college on the hill. Two players saying they've had enough of O'Roy and LT.
I think they hit a trifecta!

[ReformedAggie]

I'm certainly not defending sex for $, but I'd just as soon let the justice system work this out rather than villify Taylor, the child, or the man who took her to the hotel before all the facts are known. Plenty of folks jumped on Duke and the LaCrosse team in much the same way. Connecting this to UNC is just ridiculous in any case.

[CEF1959]

This whole sordid story just turns my stomach. 15 year old girl steps off a bus in The Bronx. Tells some sleazy pimp she has nowhere to go, so he takes her home and pimps her out.

Then in comes Lawrence Taylor. I don't know what happened in that Holiday Inn. The beating? The $300? The sex? We can all withhold judgment until this has run its course. But LT has a long history. So I assume he wasn't in that Holiday Inn for the TV reception.

And regardless of whether LT committed a crime, the whole story makes me sick.

[JohnGalt]

I have a question for the lawmen on here...

LT is charged with 3rd degree rape and patronizing a prostitute.

If the 'victim' is legally unable to give consent, how can she consent to being a prostitute? How can she be unable to make the decision of whether casual sex is consensual, but be active in a profession where regular (albeit, paid) consensual sex is...well...her 'job'?

It seems to me he needs to be charged with either (a) 3rd degree rape or (b) patronizing a prostitute, but not both.

[Kewlswim]

Hi,

LT reminds me of how people with drug issues find ways to screw up their lives. Regardless of whether or not she was underage, what the heck is he doing with a prostitute? Tragic. Just tragic. I am no fan of LT, but as a human being I hope he can extricate his inner demons.

GO DUKE!