Defensive lineman Tank Johnson of the N-F-C champion Chicago Bears has been sentenced to four months
(15 Mar 2007) HEADLINE: Chicago Bears' Tank Johnson jailed --------------------------------------- CAPTION: Defensive lineman Tank Johnson of the N-F-C champion Chicago Bears has been sentenced to four months in jail for violating probation in a 2005 gun case. Johnson's lawyers say they may appeal the 'harsh' sentence. (march 15) ---------------------------------------- [Notes:ANCHOR VOICE WEARING RED SUNGLASSES, CHICAGO BEARS DEFENSIVE TACKLE TERRY "TANK" JOHNSON WALKED INTO THE COOK COUNTY COURT HOUSE. BUT HE DIDN'T GO OUT THE SAME WAY. JOHNSON IS NOW A RESIDENT OF THE COOK COUNTY JAIL. A JUDGE SENTENCED HIM TO 120 DAYS IN JAIL AND A $2,500 FINE FOR VIOLATING PROBATION. (Shot of defense attorney) THE OUTCOME DIDN'T SIT WELL WITH HIS DEFENSE ATTORNEY Lorna Propes/Johnson's Defense Attorney "It's really unheard of, largely unheard of for a person with a similar charge to get this sentence." (video of tank entering court) JOHNSON WAS ARRESTED IN DECEMBER AFTER POLICE RAIDED HIS HOME AND FOUND SIX GUNS AND A CACHE OF AMMUNITION. (shots of courthouse) AT THE TIME, HE WAS ON PROBATION FOR A PREVIOUS GUN RELATED MISDEMEANOR. THE PROSECUTION BELIEVES HE GOT A FAIR SENTENCE. Rick Cenar/Prosecutor "It's a probation violation. He could have gotten up to 364 days in jail. He was sentenced 120 days and he will serve 60 days for day for day good credit. So he should serve 60 days if he does well in the county jail." MARK CARLSON/STANDUP (OUTSIDE COURTHOUSE) HEAD COACH LOVIE SMITH AND STAR LINEBACKER BRIAN URLACHER BOTH TESTIFIED ON BEHALF OF TANK JOHNONS. SMITH TOLD THE JUDGE THAT A JAIL SENTENCE WILL BE DEV A STATING TO JOHNSON'S CAREER. URLACHER TOLD THE JUDGE "THIS MAN DOES NOT DESERVE TO GO TO JAIL." (video of Tank entering court) BOTH URLACHER AND SMITH WERE BY TANK JOHNSON 'S SIDE WHEN HE ENTERED COURT. JOHNSON WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND IS ALREADY SERVING HIS JAIL SENTENCE. MARK CARLSON, AP, SKOKIE, ILLINOIS. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
