Not sure if this had been posted yet.

http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/05/ ... news08.txt

The next 3 paragraphs are from the article. I have also posted a blurb on the Treasure State Boot Camp (note the short length of the Camp, 90-120 days). Note where the prosecutor says this is fair and just and commensurate with his involvement in the incident. My iniitial reaction was that this was an indication that his involvement was not as significant as some of the others, but I'm not sure what the prosecutor was saying (perhaps it was the opposite). Note that the judges says he'll consider suspending all or some of the rest of the sentence after completion of the Camp. One of the other former players who has pled, also has the opportunity to go to this camp (but can't be there is any other of these offenders is there at the time).

1. "On Tuesday, Missoula District Judge Doug Harkin sentenced Coleman based on a plea agreement that dismisses kidnapping charges and recommends that the ex-Grizzly begin serving out his term at the Treasure State Boot Camp program, a men's facility in Deer Lodge based on a military format of discipline.

If Coleman completes the program successfully, Harkin may consider suspending all or part of the remainder of his sentence. However, the Corrections Department is ultimately responsible for Coleman's placement, which could include prison.

“The sentence that Judge Harkin imposed in Coleman's case was fair and just, given Coleman's background and level of involvement in the crime,” Chief Deputy Missoula County Attorney Kirsten Pabst LaCroix said. “The sentence was commensurate with those imposed in the co-defendants' cases.”

2. "Located at the base of Mt. Deer Lodge, on prison property, the Treasurer State Correctional Training Center is a 60-bed men’s facility based on a military format of discipline and treatment (boot camp). Programs employed during the trainees’ 90 to 120 day incarceration include victimology, criminal thinking errors, anger management, substance abuse treatment, Cognitive Principle Restructuring, Accountability Relapse Victim Impact, and academics. 26 employees manage this program, with 16 of these positions listed as Drill Instructors."

Colman got off ridiculously light.

Him and his gang are nothing short of a menace to society. The thought of him walking free after 120 days of "boot camp" should make the entire valley nervous.

I'm sure there are a lot of people that won't forget that judge's name (Doug Harkin).

djollieballs wrote:Colman got off ridiculously light.

Him and his gang are nothing short of a menace to society. The thought of him walking free after 120 days of "boot camp" should make the entire valley nervous.

I'm sure there are a lot of people that won't forget that judge's name (Doug Harkin).

I agree, I watched a recent local trial and the criminal got 20 years with 10 suspended- no parole. This was a $150 C-store robbery, but the ringleader carried a gun to do the job.

Stu Saddler was the judges name - good to know he is on the job vs. Harkin.


Flathead County vs Missoula County judges.

I recall discussions from the arrest report that one person was supposed to "stand guard" and actually just freaked out and ran away. Not sure who it was.

I'm not trying to justify Coleman's sentencing, I do believe it really gives him a 2nd chance at life, which he should be VERY greatful for. If he was the guy just that just took off, I don't see him as much of a menace, especially with the implications of what would happen if he were to get arrested again.

Re/MaxGriz wrote:I recall discussions from the arrest report that one person was supposed to "stand guard" and actually just freaked out and ran away. Not sure who it was.

I'm not trying to justify Coleman's sentencing, I do believe it really gives him a 2nd chance at life, which he should be VERY greatful for. If he was the guy just that just took off, I don't see him as much of a menace, especially with the implications of what would happen if he were to get arrested again.

pretty sure that was mike shelton.

Both Shelton and Coleman claimed they were not in the house, according to the affidavits filed with their initial charges.

If I remember correctly ( and I have no intention of taking the time to look it up), Coleman was the guy down the street "on lookout" who bolted early. Shelton was the guy by the door who also bolted.

And for what it is worth, Harkin has a pretty good reputation as a judge.

if only he'd have asked for a blood test, we'd be talking about him suiting up next year as opposed to going to jail!

the griz need to get their players better lawyers. i remember my lawyer in college... oh wait, i never had one and the vast majority of college students have no need for a lawyer on a one-time basis, much less long term. my bad.

PlayerRep wrote:Both Shelton and Coleman claimed they were not in the house, according to the affidavits filed with their initial charges.

Funny, I always remember the affidavit placing Colman in the house, slapping Pate around.

This is a guy that just pled guilty to TWO FELONIES, one of which was aggravated burglary. Unless he had incredibly incompetent counsel, it sure seems weird that he pled guilty to aggravated burglary without ever setting foot in the house. If you want to help him out, the first thing you should do is stop trying to justify what he did.

Of course, since you think he's such a good guy, maybe you can hook him up with a job at your firm when he gets out of the joint in a little as 120 days.

After all, I would assume that he will have a pretty hard time getting a legitimate job anywhere for the rest of his life.

djollieballs wrote:Colman got off ridiculously light.

Him and his gang are nothing short of a menace to society. The thought of him walking free after 120 days of "boot camp" should make the entire valley nervous.

I'm sure there are a lot of people that won't forget that judge's name (Doug Harkin).

Since none of us were at the trial, we can't really be sure what his involvement in this horrible situation was. Most of us here have no way of knowing what happened, other than what was reported in the Missoulian, and what's talked about on the message boards. So we really can't say what punishment was deserved without having been a part of the case and hearing the evidence.

If you think about it, he's pretty much screwed up his life beyond repair with his huge mistake. He's not going to have much of a second chance with felonies on his record. He'll have a very tough time finding a semi-decent job even after he's paid his debt to society.

Even if he was given 5 years in prison instead of boot camp, I'm guessing the part that will have the biggest effect on his life will be the felony which will always be a part of his record.

Dexter X wrote:

djollieballs wrote:Colman got off ridiculously light.

Him and his gang are nothing short of a menace to society. The thought of him walking free after 120 days of "boot camp" should make the entire valley nervous.

I'm sure there are a lot of people that won't forget that judge's name (Doug Harkin).

Since none of us were at the trial, we can't really be sure what his involvement in this horrible situation was. Most of us here have no way of knowing what happened, other than what was reported in the Missoulian, and what's talked about on the message boards. So we really can't say what punishment was deserved without having been a part of the case and hearing the evidence.

If you think about it, he's pretty much screwed up his life beyond repair with his huge mistake. He's not going to have much of a second chance with felonies on his record. He'll have a very tough time finding a semi-decent job even after he's paid his debt to society.

Even if he was given 5 years in prison instead of boot camp, I'm guessing the part that will have the biggest effect on his life will be the felony which will always be a part of his record.

Professionally this will not stay with him for life. I used to do employment background checks for a living. The laws/rules vary from state to state. However, unless applying for a job that requires a high level of security, employers are to only go back 7 years for criminal records. They can request more, however each court holds the right to reveal those records or not. More courts than one would think refuse to reveal criminal records older than 7 years old. I have seen some very reputable companies qualify applicants with a much longer and worse criminal record than Colemans for very good positions.

This is to protect the ones that do indeed clean up their lifes. Once again, this is not used by everyone, but it is a good rule of thumb when it comes to hiring with background checks being used.

If he stays clean and lives a clean life, he will not be marked for life from this. Good luck to Coleman, I hope he learned his lesson.

Fuller, the Bobcat, found employment while he was awaiting sentencing.

In the affidavit, Coleman, after first saying he wasn't there, said he didn't go in the house, he didn't go into the house because he got scared, and he decided not to go into the house because he noticed alot of people inside. Shelton said Freeman slapped Pate back at the house on Lambros.

Coleman, Shelton and Pate all claimed they weren't in the house.

Some people have bad memories, or are just plain dishonest.

PlayerRep wrote:Fuller, the Bobcat, found employment while he was awaiting sentencing.

In the affidavit, Coleman, after first saying he wasn't there, said he didn't go in the house, he didn't go into the house because he got scared, and he decided not to go into the house because he noticed alot of people inside. Shelton said Freeman slapped Pate back at the house on Lambros.

Coleman, Shelton and Pate all claimed they weren't in the house.

Some people have bad memories, or are just plain dishonest.

Could you please provide a little color on why Colman would plead guilty to aggravated burglary if he never stepped foot in the house?

I don't know whether Coleman stepped in the house or not. I know nothing other than what I read in the affidavit.

I think I read recently that a guy who went to buy the ski masks, but didn't go to the house that was to be robbed, is one of the new guys being charged. If you're even close to the planning or the action, prosecutors can charge you if they want.

Here are some reasons Coleman would plea to those things. He was promised the possibility of having to spend only 90-120 days at the Camp, instead of prison. He was promised a reduced sentence in terms of the number of years. He was told that 2 other serious charges would be dropped. He was told that everyone else was going to testify that he was involved. His lawyer told him that he would likely lose at trial, and he could end up with 20 years in prison, none suspended. The legal costs were mounting (don't know if he had appointed counsel). He was ready to face the music and get on with picking up the pieces of his life.

As long as you are a co-conspirator, the action of any of your co-conspirators is imputed to you. Classic example is the guy that drives the get-away car at the bank robbery: He can be charged identically to the actual bank robber, including a murder charge if anyone is killed.

greenie, why in the world do you incessantly speculate in a manner that portends you are disseminating factual information? you constantly accuse bac of such behavior, but you are much more flagrant than he is in your use of the ol' 'speculation as fact' ploy. plus you aren't any good at it.

no wonder you were never good enough to make it inside a courtroom.

djollieballs wrote:Of course, since you think he's such a good guy, maybe you can hook him up with a job at your firm when he gets out of the joint in a little as 120 days.

Or maybe he can hook him for a date with his daughter. I mean why not? The guy is harmless.

PlayerRep wrote:Fuller, the Bobcat, found employment while he was awaiting sentencing.

In the affidavit, Coleman, after first saying he wasn't there, said he didn't go in the house, he didn't go into the house because he got scared, and he decided not to go into the house because he noticed alot of people inside. Shelton said Freeman slapped Pate back at the house on Lambros.

Coleman, Shelton and Pate all claimed they weren't in the house.

Some people have bad memories, or are just plain dishonest.

Just plain dishonest like your friend Coleman who said he was not there then changed his story. Talk about having a bad memory.

SAVAGE PAW wrote:

djollieballs wrote:Of course, since you think he's such a good guy, maybe you can hook him up with a job at your firm when he gets out of the joint in a little as 120 days.

Or maybe he can hook him for a date with his daughter. I mean why not? The guy is harmless.

Certainly. Although he got kicked off Iowa States FB team for assaulting a police officer and then being a key member in the Missoula drug robbery/pistol whipping, he is generally a great guy!

Stiletto wrote:Certainly. Although he got kicked off Iowa States FB team for assaulting a police officer and then being a key member in the Missoula drug robbery/pistol whipping, he is generally a great guy!

According to the Missoulian Coleman was reinstated at Iowa State before transferring. Also, the incident that he was suspended for was not the assault on a police officer. Not defending Coleman, just figured I'd correct your statement

mtgrizrule - I was unaware that felonies fall off of your record after a certain amount of time in some states. For the time that it's still on his record, I imagine it will be pretty difficult for him to find a decent job. Some of the extensive background checks, tests, etc that are done for employment (even at places that have nothing to do with security, children, etc) are almost borderline ridiculous :P

Dexter X wrote:

Stiletto wrote:Certainly. Although he got kicked off Iowa States FB team for assaulting a police officer and then being a key member in the Missoula drug robbery/pistol whipping, he is generally a great guy!

According to the Missoulian Coleman was reinstated at Iowa State before transferring. Also, the incident that he was suspended for was not the assault on a police officer. Not defending Coleman, just figured I'd correct your statement

Whatever. Sugar coat it all you want but the fact remains he pled "guilty to committing interference with official acts causing injury and assault on a peace officer". He was later charged with assault after a bar brawl which led to his suspension and reinstatement after charges were dropped. Two serious run ins with the law, yet Bobby gives him a "clean slate" here? WTF? Bobby needs to be held personally responsible for bringing this thug here!

http://www.egriz.com/GrizBoard/topic17379.php

Stiletto wrote:

Dexter X wrote:

Stiletto wrote:Certainly. Although he got kicked off Iowa States FB team for assaulting a police officer and then being a key member in the Missoula drug robbery/pistol whipping, he is generally a great guy!

According to the Missoulian Coleman was reinstated at Iowa State before transferring. Also, the incident that he was suspended for was not the assault on a police officer. Not defending Coleman, just figured I'd correct your statement

Whatever. Sugar coat it all you want but the fact remains he pled "guilty to committing interference with official acts causing injury and assault on a peace officer". He was later charged with assault after a bar brawl which led to his suspension and reinstatement after charges were dropped. Two serious run ins with the law, yet Bobby gives him a "clean slate" here? WTF? Bobby needs to be held personally responsible for bringing this thug here!

http://www.egriz.com/GrizBoard/topic17379.php

Posters that bitch all the time about legal issues that they know nothing about should take time out to keep their mouth shut instead of speaking out and revealing how foolish they are. Unless you’re a practicing lawyer you don’t have a clue about what you are talking about.

You were not there and know nothing more than the rest of us. Professional people get paid a lot of money to deal with this kind of stuff, they don’t need a common working man telling them how to do their jobs. Your willingness to throw the thug moniker on our players that have had problems shows your racist tendencies and reveals your true agenda.

Support our players, coaches and team or keep your colorful thoughts to yourself. It does nothing but create problems within.

Coleman's assault incident was at the end of his junior year in high school. He ran from a party, and in the process caused a cop to separate or dislocate his shoulder. He served 30 days in jail. He lost his scholarship offers. He eventually got an offer back from Iowa St.

As Dexter stated, he was in good standing with the team and the law, when he came to UM. Earlier that spring he had been suspended briefly at Iowa St. after he was charged in connection with a minor incident at a bar/club. The incident involved allegations that he pushed a guy after the guy pushed him in the back, as they were waiting in line for the bathroom. The charge came, and he was suspended. The charge was dropped within days, and he was reinstated to the team.

Coleman decided to transfer to find greener pastures. The Iowa St coaches contacted UM. They recommended him. The UM coaches investigated. They talked to Tressel at Ohio St. and Ferenz at Iowa, and both recommended Coleman.

Coleman was generally liked at UM, and caused no problems. Who knows what he was thinking on the night in question.

What Stilletto/Hammer said above is completely wrong in substance, as well as factually wrong. Sometimes I wonder how people like Stilletto/Hammer and Savage Paw/djollie get through life. They have bad memories and/or they are dishonest.

C-19 wrote:

Stiletto wrote:

Dexter X wrote:

Stiletto wrote:Certainly. Although he got kicked off Iowa States FB team for assaulting a police officer and then being a key member in the Missoula drug robbery/pistol whipping, he is generally a great guy!

According to the Missoulian Coleman was reinstated at Iowa State before transferring. Also, the incident that he was suspended for was not the assault on a police officer. Not defending Coleman, just figured I'd correct your statement

Whatever. Sugar coat it all you want but the fact remains he pled "guilty to committing interference with official acts causing injury and assault on a peace officer". He was later charged with assault after a bar brawl which led to his suspension and reinstatement after charges were dropped. Two serious run ins with the law, yet Bobby gives him a "clean slate" here? WTF? Bobby needs to be held personally responsible for bringing this thug here!

http://www.egriz.com/GrizBoard/topic17379.php

Posters that bitch all the time about legal issues that they know nothing about should take time out to keep their mouth shut instead of speaking out and revealing how foolish they are. Unless you’re a practicing lawyer you don’t have a clue about what you are talking about.

You were not there and know nothing more than the rest of us. Professional people get paid a lot of money to deal with this kind of stuff, they don’t need a common working man telling them how to do their jobs. Your willingness to throw the thug moniker on our players that have had problems shows your racist tendencies and reveals your true agenda.

Support our players, coaches and team or keep your colorful thoughts to yourself. It does nothing but create problems within.

Stiletto/Hammer is just another tolerant liberal.