PlayerRep wrote:argh, you obviously haven't read the affidavit. So, please don't be a jerk, and don't say things that aren't true. You don't know what you're talking about.
The Missoulian article says that Whetstone did the planning:
"However, Larson set bail at $150,000 in Whetstone's case because he allegedly planned and instigated the robbery."
From reading the affidavit, and I've now read it twice, it's not clear who did the planning, except it looks like the investigators think Whetstone did it. Whetstone had the prior problem with the victim. Yes, the affidavit says what the article quoted regarding what Shelton said. However, almost all of these guys are pointing fingers at each other, at times, and telling inconsistent and sometimes changed stories.
Coleman, Pate and Shelton all say they were not in the house. I think Coleman also says that Pate wasn't in the house. From what was said about a later argument, it sounds like may Pate may have been, or supposed to have been, at or near the front door--and was thus accused of not stopping the victim from getting away.
It's not clear how many went into the house. In the affidavit, the number of people in the house go back and forth between 5 and 6, according to the victims. It's pretty clear that Freeman and Dirty were probably in the house. That leaves 5 other guys charged, as Dirty and Freeman haven't been found and charged yet. The people in the house all say everyone had a mask on except one. There are multiple references to only 4 masks being purchased. I suppose someone could have already had a mask. There is reference to the group needing a 5th person.
As for guns, there are references to a silver .22 and a G9, as well as the taser. The .22 and G9 didn't belong to any of the football players, or Freeman, from what I can tell. As for the taser, some of the non-players said he used to have a taser but lost it. It looks like Freeman may have used the taser. The person who used the taser also had a pistol and is the one who hit the victim with it. One of the other players says that they saw Shelton with the taser when they got our of a car at the house.
Two of the victims said they thought all of the people in the house had guns. It's hard to tell if this is accuate, because the people in the house have told conflicting stories (including how many people came into the house), provided conflicting info, and sometimes withheld or changed their stories. This isn't to indicate that they were lying; just that they may not recall all of the facts exactly.
Also note that it looks possible, if not probable, that one or two of the players were not actually in the house. Thus, even if all or most in the house had guns, that doesn't mean that all of the players had guns. Also, someone may have been carrying a taser and not a handgun, at least at some point.
No references to any guns being found on or with the players was mentioned in the affidavit. It is mentioned that the .22 handgun was passed among some of the non-players. It's mentioned that the container for the G9 was found in Whetstone's car, along with 250 rounds of ammo. It's mentioned that Freeman may have disposed of the evidence.
The affidavit (dated Nov. 12 and only for Shelton) doesn't seem to refer to any gun-related charges. While only for Shelton, my guess is that the affidavits are the same for each, just judging by how this was written. Both Shelton and Coleman had Assault with Weapons charges listed in the original booking information, but at least Shelton doesn't seem to have been charged that way. In fact, the charges in the affidavit are considerably different that what was in the booking sheet. They have been toned down a bit to: conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated burglary, and 2 accountability to kidnapping charges. As facts become known, the charges may change.
greenie - look at what they are charged with, and note who was charged with using a weapon:
COLEMAN Jr, GREGORY HARDIN
City
BookingID:
20071111003
Age:
22
Booked:
11/11/2007 3:57:55 AM
Charge Crime Type Arresting Agency Prosecuting Bond
Next Court Date CourtRoom Arresting Officer Defense CFS
Criminal Possession Of Dangerous Drugs - Marijuana - 1st Offense Misdemeanor MPD
Thu 11/15/2007 8:30 AM D3 Standing Kelly, Paul P071105-004
Robbery, Felony Felony MPD $100,000.00
Thu 11/15/2007 8:30 AM D3 Standing Kelly, Paul P071105-004
Burglary Felony MPD
Thu 11/15/2007 8:30 AM D3 Standing Kelly, Paul P071105-004
Assault With Weapon - Felony Felony MPD
Thu 11/15/2007 8:30 AM D3 Standing Kelly, Paul P071105-004
Kidnapping Felony MPD
Thu 11/15/2007 8:30 AM D3 Standing Kelly, Paul P071105-004
also, who did the planning (from the missoulian)?
"Shelton told police he was present as Coleman, Pate, Whetstone and “Dirty” were planning the robbery, saying that Whetstone “had a beef” with one of the alleged victims and “they were planning on taking either money or drugs ... to get even.” Shelton told police his job was to keep watch."
now, i realize that the whole issue needs to be sorted out before the "real story" can be reconstructed - by the police, prosecutors, and defense lawyers. you seem to be doing a lot of word-twisting, hypothetical "reconstructing" on your own, all of it aimed at making the griz players look "better" (not "good"). or at least that is the impression you are giving - and obviously, i'm not the only one who is interpreting your statements as such.
i'm no big fan of the police, and i know that the "justice system" is often just a "system" that disregards real justice. my problem with what you have posted is that you seem hell bent on painting the non-griz (alleged) participants as "the main bad guys". by merely writing this, you are indicating that the griz players who are (allegedly) involved are somehow less "bad" than the others, even though the information we have available to us indicates nothing of the sort.
and for the record, i hope that all of this is just some sort of 'revenge' b.s. by the informants, that shelton's statements were made under duress, and that coleman, pate, and the others in actuality did nothing seriously wrong.
