Tennessee Titans backup quarterback Chris Simms rejected a plea deal Friday after being charged with driving while under the influence of marijuana, putting the case on track for a trial as soon as March.
Simms would have been spared jail and a criminal record if he took what prosecutors said was a last-chance offer to plead guilty to driving while his ability was impaired, a traffic infraction. His punishment would have included a $500 fine, five days of community service and a 90-day driver's license suspension.
Defense lawyer Kim Richman told a judge Simms "will respectfully decline that offer."
That leaves the 30-year-old son of former New York Giants QB Phil Simms facing a trial on charges that could net him up to a year in jail if he's convicted. The judge set a March 1 trial date.
Simms and his lawyer declined to comment on the case afterward.
"See you March 1," Simms, dressed in a crisp gray suit, told reporters cordially.
Simms was pulled over around 1 a.m. on July 1 after making an erratic turn near a police sobriety checkpoint in a nightlife-oriented part of Manhattan, police said. His passengers included his then-pregnant wife, Danielle.
With the smell of marijuana oozing from his Mercedes-Benz, a "zombie"-like Simms told an officer he had been smoking the drug in the car earlier, according to court documents and the officer's testimony at a hearing in October.
Simms, however, told The Tennessean newspaper in August he "definitely didn't say" he had been smoking marijuana. He wasn't tested for drugs, and alcohol tests came back negative.
His lawyers challenged the legality of the checkpoint and the basis for his arrest, among other arguments. A judge rejected all of them earlier this month, saying police were justified in stopping and arresting him and that his statements were obtained legally.
The top charge against Simms is a misdemeanor, driving while impaired by drugs.
Besides the legal consequences, a conviction or any guilty plea that entailed admitting to smoking marijuana could get Simms in career trouble. Under the league's substance-abuse policy, he could be subject to a suspension. The league also has a personal-conduct policy that could result in a suspension.
Simms has a 7-9 record in 16 NFL career starts. A third-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003, he ruptured his spleen in a 2006 game against the Carolina Panthers and had to undergo emergency surgery.
After Tampa Bay released him, he went to Tennessee in 2008, played for the Denver Broncos in 2009 as an unrestricted free agent and then returned to the Titans. The Titans released him in September but then re-signed him in November. He didn't play in any games this season.
Simms' father played 14 seasons with the Giants, leading them to two Super Bowls. He is now a CBS Sports announcer and analyst.
Showing posts with label Sets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sets. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Cake Sets Record for Lowest Selling Album to Top Charts
Hey, it’s still hella cool to be no. 1.
Sacramento, Calif. alt-rockers Cake topped the charts for the first time with the release of their sixth album, “Showroom of Compassion,” Billboard.com reported.
The only problem: Cake sold just 44,000 copies of the album, which makes "Showroom" the weakest-selling no. 1 since SoundScan began tracking data in 1991.
Overall sales of albums for the week ended Jan. 16 totaled 4.9 million units, down 15 percent compared to the same week a year ago, Billboard reported. Album sales have tanked 11 percent to date in 2012.
Until now, Cake had never cracked the top 10 on Billboard’s charts despite penning radio hits “The Distance” and “Never There,” MTV News reported.
Taylor Swift had set the record for lowest album sales in the top spot last week. The country darling’s “Speak Now” had sold 52,000 to lead the competition in its 11th week on the market, according to Billboard.
“Speak Now” landed at no. 3 this week, below indie rockers Cage the Elephant’s latest, “Thank You Happy Birthday.”
Rounding out the top 10 were: Bruno Mars’ “Doo-Wops & Hooligans”; Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday”; the “Country Strong” soundtrack; Steel Magnolia (self titled); Rihanna’s “Loud”; Mumford & Sons’ “Sigh No More”; and Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”
Sacramento, Calif. alt-rockers Cake topped the charts for the first time with the release of their sixth album, “Showroom of Compassion,” Billboard.com reported.
The only problem: Cake sold just 44,000 copies of the album, which makes "Showroom" the weakest-selling no. 1 since SoundScan began tracking data in 1991.
Overall sales of albums for the week ended Jan. 16 totaled 4.9 million units, down 15 percent compared to the same week a year ago, Billboard reported. Album sales have tanked 11 percent to date in 2012.
Until now, Cake had never cracked the top 10 on Billboard’s charts despite penning radio hits “The Distance” and “Never There,” MTV News reported.
Taylor Swift had set the record for lowest album sales in the top spot last week. The country darling’s “Speak Now” had sold 52,000 to lead the competition in its 11th week on the market, according to Billboard.
“Speak Now” landed at no. 3 this week, below indie rockers Cage the Elephant’s latest, “Thank You Happy Birthday.”
Rounding out the top 10 were: Bruno Mars’ “Doo-Wops & Hooligans”; Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday”; the “Country Strong” soundtrack; Steel Magnolia (self titled); Rihanna’s “Loud”; Mumford & Sons’ “Sigh No More”; and Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Aretha Franklin Sets The Record Straight On Her Health
Aretha Franklin is speaking out regarding her recent health scare.
Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson — a friend of the Queen of Soul for nearly 20 years – got the scoop from Aretha, herself, as the seasoned singer revealed why she chose to address recent health rumors.
“Well, there was just so many wild things out there and just so many things being said that weren’t true,” Aretha told Shaun in a phone interview on Thursday. “I just felt I needed to address it a little.”
Aretha, 68, admits there was indeed a health scare, but she isn’t ready to divulge specifics just yet.
“I went through a number of procedures before I knew what was wrong,” Aretha told Shaun.
“I know that you revealed to Jet magazine that you initially sought treatment because of a pain in your side,” Shaun replied. “Did the pain get so severe that you said, ‘Hey, there’s got to be something wrong here?’”
“Yeah, the pain was so hard it almost brought me to my knees,” Aretha revealed. “I was in Birmingham and then Boston and after that concert the same pain hit me again.
“I really just began to not feel good and I said, ‘Oh, no this is it, I can’t do any more concerts till I know what the problem is,’” she added.
The “Freedom” chanteuse shot down rampart reports that she had been stricken with pancreatic cancer, saying, “I don’t know where ‘pancreatic cancer’ came from.
“I was sitting there reading the newspaper and it was saying someone in my family said that,” Aretha continued. “No one in my family ever said that to anybody.”
The beloved artist received an overwhelming outpouring of “Respect” from high-profile well-wishers during her recovery – including the Commander In Chief.
“I got a wonderful and beautiful letter from the President,” Aretha told Shaun. “And nobody does it like him!”
Access is thrilled to report that Aretha is expected to continuing blessing us with her phenomenal voice and fashion-forward hats for the foreseeable future.
“So, it’s safe to say to your fans that we will be seeing Aretha Franklin for many years to come, right?” Shaun asked Aretha.
“That’s what my doctor said,” Aretha replied. “He said, ‘The surgery that you just had is going to add 15 to 20 more years to your life.’”
In addition to her positive health report, the singer has won yet another battle – her struggle with weight.
“I’m down to a rockin’ [size] 16 - 18,” she excitedly told Shaun.
“Oh, I’m comin’ with it, OK?!?” she laughed. “It’s getting better every day. I plan on keeping this weight that I have now — I’m so happy with it.”
Aretha is up for a Best R&B Grammy for her duet with Ronald Isley and while she’ll likely miss that party, she promises to resume her concert tour.
“My concerts don’t start until May and then I’m going to reschedule Washington, Virginia and Kansas City,” she told Shaun. “Those are some of the places I had to cancel because of the procedure I had to have.”
Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson — a friend of the Queen of Soul for nearly 20 years – got the scoop from Aretha, herself, as the seasoned singer revealed why she chose to address recent health rumors.
“Well, there was just so many wild things out there and just so many things being said that weren’t true,” Aretha told Shaun in a phone interview on Thursday. “I just felt I needed to address it a little.”
Aretha, 68, admits there was indeed a health scare, but she isn’t ready to divulge specifics just yet.
“I went through a number of procedures before I knew what was wrong,” Aretha told Shaun.
“I know that you revealed to Jet magazine that you initially sought treatment because of a pain in your side,” Shaun replied. “Did the pain get so severe that you said, ‘Hey, there’s got to be something wrong here?’”
“Yeah, the pain was so hard it almost brought me to my knees,” Aretha revealed. “I was in Birmingham and then Boston and after that concert the same pain hit me again.
“I really just began to not feel good and I said, ‘Oh, no this is it, I can’t do any more concerts till I know what the problem is,’” she added.
The “Freedom” chanteuse shot down rampart reports that she had been stricken with pancreatic cancer, saying, “I don’t know where ‘pancreatic cancer’ came from.
“I was sitting there reading the newspaper and it was saying someone in my family said that,” Aretha continued. “No one in my family ever said that to anybody.”
The beloved artist received an overwhelming outpouring of “Respect” from high-profile well-wishers during her recovery – including the Commander In Chief.
“I got a wonderful and beautiful letter from the President,” Aretha told Shaun. “And nobody does it like him!”
Access is thrilled to report that Aretha is expected to continuing blessing us with her phenomenal voice and fashion-forward hats for the foreseeable future.
“So, it’s safe to say to your fans that we will be seeing Aretha Franklin for many years to come, right?” Shaun asked Aretha.
“That’s what my doctor said,” Aretha replied. “He said, ‘The surgery that you just had is going to add 15 to 20 more years to your life.’”
In addition to her positive health report, the singer has won yet another battle – her struggle with weight.
“I’m down to a rockin’ [size] 16 - 18,” she excitedly told Shaun.
“Oh, I’m comin’ with it, OK?!?” she laughed. “It’s getting better every day. I plan on keeping this weight that I have now — I’m so happy with it.”
Aretha is up for a Best R&B Grammy for her duet with Ronald Isley and while she’ll likely miss that party, she promises to resume her concert tour.
“My concerts don’t start until May and then I’m going to reschedule Washington, Virginia and Kansas City,” she told Shaun. “Those are some of the places I had to cancel because of the procedure I had to have.”
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