Joe in Philly
Jul 9 2002, 08:51 PM
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
PHILADELPHIA -- Police plan to recommend that prosecutors issue a warrant for the arrest of NBA All-Star Allen Iverson for allegedly barging into an apartment and threatening two men while armed.
District Attorney Lynne Abraham's office will be asked Wednesday to approve charges of aggravated assault and making terroristic threats while armed, Philadelphia police Lt. Michael Chitwood said Tuesday night.
"We feel there's enough evidence there now to do what we've got to do -- arrest him," said Chitwood, who participated in the investigation.
If Abraham approves the charges, the Philadelphia 76ers guard would be asked to turn himself in, police said.
Cathie Abookire, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, said Tuesday night that prosecutors have not gotten any word from police about Iverson.
"When we receive paperwork from the Police Department, we will review it," Abookire said.
Iverson had a gun when he forced his way inside an apartment last week and threatened two men, one of the men said Tuesday.
Charles Jones, 21, met with police Tuesday and told reporters Iverson threatened him and another man in the early morning hours of July 3.
Iverson, accompanied by another man, reportedly went to an apartment complex before dawn to look for Iverson's wife, Tawanna, and cousin, Shaun Bowman, who lives there. Neither was there, said Jones, who has lived in the apartment since March.
Jones declined to reveal what Iverson said or how he threatened him. Jones said Iverson had a black handgun but did not brandish it.
Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson told KYW-AM that Iverson allegedly had the gun inside his waistband. But Johnson noted, "A bulge could be anything."
Jones insisted he saw a gun. "I'm positive it was," he said.
Iverson's attorney, Tom Shuttleworth, declined comment Tuesday. Another Iverson attorney, Lawrence Woodward Jr., met with police Monday.
"It's inappropriate for a lawyer to comment about a pending investigation. We have confidence in the legal system and we're going to let the process run its course," Shuttleworth, of Virginia Beach, Va., said Tuesday.
Iverson has not commented publicly, and no one answered the intercom Tuesday outside his suburban Philadelphia mansion.
amazin12
Jul 9 2002, 09:00 PM
Iverson and Jayson Williams possibly in the slammer together? There's an all-star team in the making.
LAKERSRDABOMB
Jul 9 2002, 10:52 PM
If Iverson had a gun he is in big trouble! According to The Philly Daily News he does not have a permit for a gun! Philly fans booed Kobe, but who is the better man now?
canmark
Jul 10 2002, 11:27 AM
Hey, "A bulge could be anything."
sportinlife
Jul 10 2002, 11:43 AM
He says Iverson had a "black handgun" but did not brandish it??? Has Jones seen the gun before? Did Iverson reveal a gun without 'brandishing' it.
Wouldn't take much of a lawyer to tear that apart. Details to follow perhaps?
Joe in Philly
Jul 10 2002, 12:23 PM
An
interesting article from the Phila. Inquirer on Iverson. A couple of quotes from the article intrigue me:
[quote]A week has passed since Charles Jones and another man, who share a one-bedroom apartment with Iverson's cousin Shaun Bowman, claimed that Iverson - in possession of a gun and spewing threats - barreled into their abode at 2 a.m. last Wednesday looking for his wife, Tawanna...
There is noise that this whole incident started when Iverson threw his wife out of their home, and that it was not the first time he's done so. Rumors have swirled that Iverson was drinking, he was furious, and carrying a gun, and threatening to hurt someone.
Suddenly, the particulars of Iverson's marriage are on the verge of becoming public knowledge. So is the life of his cousin, Bowman, who might prefer that it be left private. Other relatives could be next.
Three men sharing a ONE-bedroom apartment???
Aubie In Bham
Jul 10 2002, 01:36 PM
This is why I don't watch the NBA any longer. I refuse to patronize these thugs. I say close the whole league.
Joe in Philly
Jul 10 2002, 07:01 PM
If you don't want to patronize thugs, then you don't want to watch any sports. Bad people are everywhere, not just in the NBA.
amazin12
Jul 10 2002, 08:23 PM
I just saw an accuser of Iverson interviewed on ESPN regarding this case. Did anyone else see him? An obvious banjee queen.
Whoa! Apparently there are thug butch queens in Iverson's past and present life.
[ July 10, 2002: Message edited by: amazin12 ]
Celtics4Life
Jul 11 2002, 09:13 AM
Personally I think that AI knew this guy better than he is putting on. What probably happened is the queen was going to tell about he and AI's thing they had going on and AI got mad and the whole wife thing is being used as a cover-up. I can't help it. I'm a conspiracy theorists at heart. Calm me crazy but you know that's what you are thinking in the back of your head.
But seriously though, AI needs to find a new batch of friends that will give him better counsel and advice thatn to go to someone's house in the middle of the night threatening them with a gun. I understand that he comes from a rough neighborhood, but so did I. At some point in your life though you have to rise above that and do better for yourself and your family.
As much as I love the NBA some of the players never cease to amaze me.
Da Kid.
George Twins fan
Jul 11 2002, 12:44 PM
Prosecutors have decided to charge Iverson!!! From ESPN.com:
[quote] NBA All-Star Allen Iverson will be charged for forcing his way into his cousin's apartment with a gun, authorities said Thursday.
The announcement came the same day police searched his suburban mansion and his uncle's home, looking for the gun Iverson was accused of carrying the night he showed up at the apartment looking for his wife, Tawanna.
Iverson will be charged with criminal trespass, simple assault, terroristic threats and gun offenses, District Attorney Lynne Abraham said.
Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson said he will arrange with Iverson's lawyer for the Philadelphia 76ers' guard to surrender. Johnson said that could happen as early as Thursday night.
"We had two complaints we felt were credible. Detectives did a very thorough, complete and professional investigation,'' Johnson said.
"I don't expect Mr. Iverson will be treated any different than anyone else,'' Abraham said.
Iverson, a former league MVP, was accused of going to the Cobbs Creek Court apartment complex to look for his wife and cousin, Shaun Bowman, who lives there. Neither was there, said Charles Jones, who has lived in the apartment since March.
Jones, who met with police Tuesday, told reporters Iverson had a gun when he forced his way inside the apartment early on July 3 and threatened Jones and another man.
Police said Iverson has no gun permit, nor does he have a gun registered in Pennsylvania.
Iverson's uncle, Gregory Iverson, was accused of accompanying Iverson to the apartment. He also was charged with criminal trespass, simple assault, terroristic threats and other offenses.
Abraham made the announcement about 10 police investigators searched Iverson's suburban house Thursday, looking for "handguns, phones, telephone records, auto repairs, photographs," court documents showed.
Police impounded Iverson's Mercedes 600 and took it to a police facility where it is being searched for more evidence, including fingerprints, ESPN's Sal Poalantonio reports.
The developments came a day after prosecutors said they were considering whether Iverson should be charged with threatening two men while looking for his wife at the complex where his cousin lives.
Iverson and his wife had been involved in a fight that spanned two days. At one point, Iverson threw his wife out of their mansion, according to tapes of a 911 call obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Tawanna Iverson and another man had fled Iverson's home and were in hiding, according to the report.
Police presented their case to the district attorney's office Wednesday. Detectives believe they have sufficient evidence to charge Iverson with aggravated assault -- a felony -- terrorist threats and related offenses.
Iverson shot baskets with family and friends on a court outside his mansion Wednesday.
Iverson and his wife of 11 months have not commented publicly. His lawyers did not return phone calls and Iverson ignored reporters who shouted questions to him at his home.
Iverson, a former league MVP, is accused of going to the Cobbs Creek Court apartment complex to look for Tawanna and cousin, Shaun Bowman, who lives there. Neither was there, said Charles Jones, who has lived in the apartment since March.
Jones made the 911 call more than 10 hours later, the Inquirer reported.
It wasn't clear how Jones obtained his information about the Iversons' fight. During the 911 call, Jones said Iverson had threatened to kill his wife and shoot Jones, the Inquirer reported.
Jones met with police Tuesday and told reporters Iverson had a gun when he forced his way inside the apartment early on July 3 and threatened Jones and another man.
Police said Iverson has no gun permit, nor does he have a gun registered in Pennsylvania.
Aubie In Bham
Jul 11 2002, 01:26 PM
Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe....Say it ain't so....thugs in everysport? ARGHHHH!
Damn, was I the last to know?
Joe in Philly
Jul 11 2002, 09:05 PM
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Aubie.
On ESPN they interviewed a local attorney who feels that the prosecutors have a very weak case and most of the charges will be thrown out at the preliminary hearing.
Meanwhile, they also said Iverson is going to surrender on Tuesday, but the police commissioner says that if he's seen in public anytime before Tuesday that the cops are instructed to pick him up.
phillyrunner
Jul 14 2002, 07:30 PM
Who says you can't have a good time when your effectively under house arrest. Since Iverson could not go out and party this weekend for fear of arrest he brought the party to his house.
BoSoxRudy
Jul 16 2002, 03:17 PM
I'll admit that I haven't been following this story all that closely. Can someone please explain to me how it is that AI can turn himself in any ol' time he pleases? If the police had a warrant out on me for multiple felony offenses, something tells me I'd be in the slammer faster than the blink of an eye. But AI gets to kick back, throw a couple of parties, and stroll in whenever it suits him??
Or is it just as Fitzgerald said, "The rich, they are different"???
sportinlife
Jul 16 2002, 07:04 PM
Iverson's lawyer was in Europe and requested that AI not be required to go to court without representation. He returned today. Apparently he's 'well-respected' by the both the prosecutor Lynn "fry-em-all" Abraham and the the chief of police.
The most interesting aspect of the case will be seeing whether all that money and fame swing things one way or the other for AI. All say it's gonna be treated the same as any other case..and I'm winning the multi-million dollar lottery tomorrow, without buying a ticket.
Wurm
Jul 16 2002, 09:48 PM
Theo
Jul 17 2002, 10:00 AM
Must have been some kinda party at the mansion 'cuz he looks like shyyt!
amazin12
Jul 17 2002, 10:27 AM
I was walking around New York City the other day and within a few minutes timespan I was seeing Allen Iverson jerseys being worn by teens. Iverson popularity surged even higher since he hit the headlines. As you all know "thug" is in. I've heard women say they love thugs. They feel sorry for thugs. They feel they can save a thug. I guess there should be a "Save-A-Thug" telethon.
And like I wrote on this board a while back, Iverson is SO BIG with kids that his "doo-rag thug" look has become a huge fashion trend. He and no one else gets credit for that fashion boom.
So this whole judicial process crap is worthless. Nothing will happen to Iverson. Deep down thugs laugh at the law. Because they feel they've lived such a tough life that nothing could be worse. The one time that Iverson will get hurt is when someone takes him out with a bullet. Possibly by one of his so-called "friends". Oh but then his popularity will become even bigger. More kids will be wearing his jersey. Then they'll be a cult group of kids who believe that Iverson is still alive and so on. So I guess even when dead you can't hurt Allen Iverson.
[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: amazin12 ]
[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: amazin12 ]
sportinlife
Jul 17 2002, 10:57 AM
I understand your cynicism amazin12. But consider:
There is a thundering silence so far here in philly from the politically informed professional community.
The only "FREE Iverson" groupies look like paid office workers.
I haven't personally heard much support for his behavior from anyone without a financial or power interest, other than his mother, and godforbid she should abandon him.
Things may not be so hopeless as they appear in terms of attitudes toward him changing.
[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
notyouthedog
Jul 17 2002, 12:35 PM
This whole thing just oozes class and grace- or perhaps it just oozes. I saw his mother Ann Iverson on tv last night, she kept referring to him as AI, not my son or anything to show that he was a person she was concerned about. I got the impression she worked for him. Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think I read that if he's convicted, the NBA can suspend him for 10 games. Why not void his contract. I know that the compant i work for would 86 me if I was convicted of a felony. Pete
DCBucky
Jul 21 2002, 05:01 AM
Well now
Glenn Robinson has been arrested! Domestic battery, assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.
sportinlife
Jul 21 2002, 08:21 AM
Interesting aside on Glenn Robinson DCB, but I'm not sure he and Iverson have much more in common than being rich, black athletes with illegal weapons and poor judgement. Though they're a dime a dozen in the USA it's informative and constructive to look a little deeper.
There is an excellent article in today's NYTimes sports page about the history of AI. Some might, and do make the arguement that he is the all-american boy: athletic stand-out, respected and charismatic leader in the community of his birth, even a political cause celebre at one point.
But the sympathy for him wears thin when you look closely. He has all the trappings of a third-world dictator: a close-knit well-paid coterie of personal supporters, ability to earn lots of money for corporate interests, disrespect for anyone who doesn't agree with him - especially among those closest to him (his wife for instance.)
Unfortunately he has either lost by untimely death or by his on negligence, close associates (friends/relatives/instructors) who do not depend on him financially and can give him an honest assessment of his behavior.
From all appearances he seems to be on the verge of becoming just another one of sports, and lifes, tragic miscarriages.
[ July 29, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
sportinlife
Jul 22 2002, 01:24 PM
EEK!!!
What an eerie resemblance!


Iverson and Reid the shoebomber
fantomas
Jul 24 2002, 09:54 AM
Maybe they're distant cousins!
Sports thugs are everywhere, and Iverson is one of the most popular not only in this country but overseas as well. Nenê Hilario, the Brazilian NBA draftee, listed "Ee-ver-son" as his and his friend's favorite NBA player. The man also is beloved in the Caribbean (you see Iverson shirts in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, etc.), Europe, Africa.... Hiphop currently promotes this kind of behavior too, so it's hardly surprising that he's so well known and admired.
Wurm
Jul 24 2002, 07:43 PM
Well, if Iverson draws time, at least he'll have something to take up his time....

(courtesy badjocks)
Joe in Philly
Jul 29 2002, 01:11 PM
So much for this story. All but one charge was dismissed in court today. The only charge left is a misdemeanor for making terroristic threats against his wife. This was after one of the 2 men at Iverson's cousin's apartment changed his story and said he did NOT see a gun on Iverson, but was told to say he DID by the other man (the one wearing the so-called "poom poom" pants).
George Twins fan
Jul 29 2002, 01:32 PM
I'm far from a fan of AI and the whole thug image he personifies. I think its really turning alot of people off to the NBA. And I don't doubt that he threw his wife out of the house in the buff. If Tawana isn't pressing charges, that's her cross to bear. And frankly, I think anytime the police are called in a domestic dispute but charges aren't pressed, those responsible should incur heavy fines. Police have enough to do rather than deal with this crap.
That said, the police and DA should be ashamed and embarrassed for the investigation and charges that were filed. That so called witness had zero credibility and I only saw him in a TV interview! How come suppossed trained professionals couldn't see through this doof.
Wurm
Jul 29 2002, 07:09 PM
The Reuters stroy attached notes that Iverson and his uncle each face two misdemenor terroristic threats counts (one charge for each of the two "intended targets" for each defendant).
Irregardless of the "softness" of the most serious charges, when are judges going to stop making such dumbbell Judge Ito-ish comments like
"Put it this way: Once I got on the case, I couldn't wear my Iverson jersey," he joked to reporters"...... Reuters StoryEdited for clarity/typos
[ July 29, 2002: Message edited by: Wurm ]
Joe in Philly
Jul 30 2002, 01:40 PM
Here is an
article from today's Phila. Daily News about the judge's actions yesterday. I can't help but wonder whether the DA will re-file the dropped charges and attempt to get another judge.
Joe in Philly
Aug 1 2002, 11:34 AM
Q. What's the difference between Tawanna Iverson and Congressman James Traficant?
A. One is allowed back in the house; the other isn't.
Joe in Philly
Aug 5 2002, 05:26 PM
He's officially off the hook for the most serious charges...
[quote] D.A. won't refile felony charges against Iverson
By Jacqueline Soteropoulos
Inquirer Staff Writer
Prosecutors announced today that they will not rearrest 76ers star Allen Iverson on felony weapons and trespass charges. Instead, Iverson and his uncle will stand trial Sept. 18 on misdemeanor charges of making terroristic threats.
Iverson, 27, and his 39-year-old uncle Gregory Iverson are accused of threatening two young men in a West Philadelphia apartment during the athlete's angry July 3 search for his wife.
Prosecutor Charles Ehrlich, chief of the District Attorney's Office Municipal Court unit, said today that after reviewing the evidence in the case and last week's testimony by the two alleged victims, prosecutors decided to preceed to trial on the remaining, minor charges against the Iverson.
During a bitterly-fought July 29 preliminary hearing, the defense team convinced Municipal Court Judge James J. DeLeon to throw out the most serious charges. By rearresting the pair on those charges, prosecutors could have effectively appealed DeLeon's decision to the higher Common Pleas Court.
Instead, the Iversons will have a non-jury trial before Municipal Court Judge Seamus P. McCaffery -- who also presides over court during Eagles games at Veterans Stadium and is one of the city's best known judges.
Meanwhile,
Iverson's accuser speaks out -- the one who didn't change his story in court, that is. And unlike other reports that hinted at it, such as the snickering about "poom-poom pants," this one explicitly refers to his "gay lifestyle."
sportinlife
Aug 6 2002, 07:05 PM
Just checked out the cover of the magazine "Best of Philadelphia". On the cover: Kobe Bryant.
Joe in Philly
Aug 7 2002, 10:50 AM
[quote]Originally posted by sportinlife:
Just checked out the cover of the magazine "Best of Philadelphia". On the cover: Kobe Bryant.
Very funny!
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