Official Griz (and some of our own) apology thread

[crazycat]

OK. For all you people who smacked around the MSU football team over this Wright murder here's your opportunity to eat crow. The murder charges were dropped against former red-shirt Lebrum.

Actually the Associated Press should lead off. How many times did they tack onto the end of their stories a reference to MSU football and this murder?

I know, I know this doesn't get rid of the other issues (drugs, APR).

[Billings_Griz]

The good: Drugs and thugs off the street.

The bad: Dead guy.

He "won" by getting the murder dropped, but I bet he spends 20+ in the crowbar hotel for the robbery.

I'm just glad there will be some closure and I'm hoping '08 is better for MSU & UM than '07. We had some publicity in '07 that neither of us wanted/needed.

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Eastcoastgriz]

OK. For all you people who smacked around the MSU football team over this Wright murder here's your opportunity to eat crow. The murder charges were dropped against former red-shirt Lebrum.

Actually the Associated Press should lead off. How many times did they tack onto the end of their stories a reference to MSU football and this murder?

I know, I know this doesn't get rid of the other issues (drugs, APR).

Why were the charges dropped?

[crazycat]

OK. For all you people who smacked around the MSU football team over this Wright murder here's your opportunity to eat crow. The murder charges were dropped against former red-shirt Lebrum.

Actually the Associated Press should lead off. How many times did they tack onto the end of their stories a reference to MSU football and this murder?

I know, I know this doesn't get rid of the other issues (drugs, APR).

Why were the charges dropped?

Here's the story. Not really clear why they were dropped, but it sounds like Lebrum wasn't there when it occured and only helped with the robbery.

Athlete's murder charge dropped
Ex-MSU grid player pleads guilty to helping with robbery
By The Associated Press

HELENA - Prosecutors dropped charges of murder and kidnapping against a former redshirt Montana State football player who had been charged in the June 2006 shooting death of a man police identified as a cocaine dealer.

During a hearing Thursday afternoon in Bozeman, John Lebrum pleaded guilty to helping co-defendant Branden Miller rob Jason Wright, 26.

Lebrum's attorney, Al Avignone, said Lebrum also admitted violating terms of a deferred sentence in a criminal-endangerment case in which he punched a man and broke his jaw during a pickup basketball game on campus in October 2005.

Prosecutors can seek a maximum penalty of 40 years for the robbery and 10 years for violating the deferred sentence, Avignone said. District Judge Mike Salvagni scheduled Lebrum's sentencing for May 7. Avignone can also recommend a sentencing range, but he hasn't decided yet what to recommend.

A federal cocaine charge against Lebrum was also dropped.

Miller, a former MSU basketball player, pleaded guilty in January to deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence in Wright's death. A kidnapping charge was dropped. Prosecutors have said they will recommend a 130-year prison term when Miller is sentenced on May 5.

During his plea hearing, Miller testified that Lebrum shot Wright.

Thursday, Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert told the judge that the physical evidence in the case was consistent with the version of events Lebrum has told investigators from the beginning.

Avignone said Lebrum told the court that Miller called him at 2:30 a.m. on June 23 and asked him to meet him outside a restaurant. Miller had been talking for weeks about robbing Wright, who was in the restaurant, Lebrum said.

When Wright came out of the restaurant, Lebrum said he and Miller followed him to his apartment. Lebrum said Miller threatened Wright with a gun and demanded his money, Avignone said.

Lebrum said Miller gave him $130 after the robbery.

Court records have said Miller bought the murder weapon.

Avignone had succeeded in suppressing statements that Lebrum had made during his interrogation because Avignone was not allowed into the interrogation room.

"With Judge Salvagni suppressing those statements and with the (attorney general's) office deciding not to appeal, the state's case was significantly impacted," said John Worsfold, deputy county attorney.

Avignone called the plea agreement a "pretty wonderful resolution."

"Jason Wright was murdered, and that's a terrible tragedy," he said. "But I think it's important to all of us that justice be done and that people not be convicted of things that they're not responsible for or guilty of."

Worsfold and Avignone said Wright's family supported the plea agreement.

Lebrum, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., redshirted as an MSU football player in the fall of 2003. He was dismissed from the team in August 2004 for disciplinary reasons.

The Wright murder case led Montana State to re-evaluate its sports recruiting policies.

[PDXGriz]

Wow if this is what Bobcat smack has resorted to I feel sorry for you.

[94VegasCat]

Wow if this is what Bobcat smack has resorted to I feel sorry for you.

this is where you are supposed to apologize for all of the isht that you griz talked, right up until your issues surfaced

[Eastcoastgriz]

OK. For all you people who smacked around the MSU football team over this Wright murder here's your opportunity to eat crow. The murder charges were dropped against former red-shirt Lebrum.

Actually the Associated Press should lead off. How many times did they tack onto the end of their stories a reference to MSU football and this murder?

I know, I know this doesn't get rid of the other issues (drugs, APR).

Why were the charges dropped?

Here's the story. Not really clear why they were dropped, but it sounds like Lebrum wasn't there when it occured and only helped with the robbery.

Athlete's murder charge dropped
Ex-MSU grid player pleads guilty to helping with robbery
By The Associated Press

HELENA - Prosecutors dropped charges of murder and kidnapping against a former redshirt Montana State football player who had been charged in the June 2006 shooting death of a man police identified as a cocaine dealer.

During a hearing Thursday afternoon in Bozeman, John Lebrum pleaded guilty to helping co-defendant Branden Miller rob Jason Wright, 26.

Lebrum's attorney, Al Avignone, said Lebrum also admitted violating terms of a deferred sentence in a criminal-endangerment case in which he punched a man and broke his jaw during a pickup basketball game on campus in October 2005.

Prosecutors can seek a maximum penalty of 40 years for the robbery and 10 years for violating the deferred sentence, Avignone said. District Judge Mike Salvagni scheduled Lebrum's sentencing for May 7. Avignone can also recommend a sentencing range, but he hasn't decided yet what to recommend.

A federal cocaine charge against Lebrum was also dropped.

Miller, a former MSU basketball player, pleaded guilty in January to deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence in Wright's death. A kidnapping charge was dropped. Prosecutors have said they will recommend a 130-year prison term when Miller is sentenced on May 5.

During his plea hearing, Miller testified that Lebrum shot Wright.

Thursday, Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert told the judge that the physical evidence in the case was consistent with the version of events Lebrum has told investigators from the beginning.

Avignone said Lebrum told the court that Miller called him at 2:30 a.m. on June 23 and asked him to meet him outside a restaurant. Miller had been talking for weeks about robbing Wright, who was in the restaurant, Lebrum said.

When Wright came out of the restaurant, Lebrum said he and Miller followed him to his apartment. Lebrum said Miller threatened Wright with a gun and demanded his money, Avignone said.

Lebrum said Miller gave him $130 after the robbery.

Court records have said Miller bought the murder weapon.

Avignone had succeeded in suppressing statements that Lebrum had made during his interrogation because Avignone was not allowed into the interrogation room.

"With Judge Salvagni suppressing those statements and with the (attorney general's) office deciding not to appeal, the state's case was significantly impacted," said John Worsfold, deputy county attorney.

Avignone called the plea agreement a "pretty wonderful resolution."

"Jason Wright was murdered, and that's a terrible tragedy," he said. "But I think it's important to all of us that justice be done and that people not be convicted of things that they're not responsible for or guilty of."

Worsfold and Avignone said Wright's family supported the plea agreement.

Lebrum, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., redshirted as an MSU football player in the fall of 2003. He was dismissed from the team in August 2004 for disciplinary reasons.

The Wright murder case led Montana State to re-evaluate its sports recruiting policies.

crazycat you wrote " Not really clear why they were dropped, but it sounds like Lebrum wasn't there when it occured and only helped with the robbery.”

How did you pull that out of this article??

It sounds to me like he got of on a technicality from the following quote:

"Avignone had succeeded in suppressing statements that Lebrum had made during his interrogation because Avignone was not allowed into the interrogation room.

"With Judge Salvagni suppressing those statements and with the (attorney general's) office deciding not to appeal, the state's case was significantly impacted," said John Worsfold, deputy county attorney. "

[crazycat]

OK. For all you people who smacked around the MSU football team over this Wright murder here's your opportunity to eat crow. The murder charges were dropped against former red-shirt Lebrum.

Actually the Associated Press should lead off. How many times did they tack onto the end of their stories a reference to MSU football and this murder?

I know, I know this doesn't get rid of the other issues (drugs, APR).

Why were the charges dropped?

Here's the story. Not really clear why they were dropped, but it sounds like Lebrum wasn't there when it occured and only helped with the robbery.

Athlete's murder charge dropped
Ex-MSU grid player pleads guilty to helping with robbery
By The Associated Press

HELENA - Prosecutors dropped charges of murder and kidnapping against a former redshirt Montana State football player who had been charged in the June 2006 shooting death of a man police identified as a cocaine dealer.

During a hearing Thursday afternoon in Bozeman, John Lebrum pleaded guilty to helping co-defendant Branden Miller rob Jason Wright, 26.

Lebrum's attorney, Al Avignone, said Lebrum also admitted violating terms of a deferred sentence in a criminal-endangerment case in which he punched a man and broke his jaw during a pickup basketball game on campus in October 2005.

Prosecutors can seek a maximum penalty of 40 years for the robbery and 10 years for violating the deferred sentence, Avignone said. District Judge Mike Salvagni scheduled Lebrum's sentencing for May 7. Avignone can also recommend a sentencing range, but he hasn't decided yet what to recommend.

A federal cocaine charge against Lebrum was also dropped.

Miller, a former MSU basketball player, pleaded guilty in January to deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence in Wright's death. A kidnapping charge was dropped. Prosecutors have said they will recommend a 130-year prison term when Miller is sentenced on May 5.

During his plea hearing, Miller testified that Lebrum shot Wright.

Thursday, Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert told the judge that the physical evidence in the case was consistent with the version of events Lebrum has told investigators from the beginning.

Avignone said Lebrum told the court that Miller called him at 2:30 a.m. on June 23 and asked him to meet him outside a restaurant. Miller had been talking for weeks about robbing Wright, who was in the restaurant, Lebrum said.

When Wright came out of the restaurant, Lebrum said he and Miller followed him to his apartment. Lebrum said Miller threatened Wright with a gun and demanded his money, Avignone said.

Lebrum said Miller gave him $130 after the robbery.

Court records have said Miller bought the murder weapon.

Avignone had succeeded in suppressing statements that Lebrum had made during his interrogation because Avignone was not allowed into the interrogation room.

"With Judge Salvagni suppressing those statements and with the (attorney general's) office deciding not to appeal, the state's case was significantly impacted," said John Worsfold, deputy county attorney.

Avignone called the plea agreement a "pretty wonderful resolution."

"Jason Wright was murdered, and that's a terrible tragedy," he said. "But I think it's important to all of us that justice be done and that people not be convicted of things that they're not responsible for or guilty of."

Worsfold and Avignone said Wright's family supported the plea agreement.

Lebrum, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., redshirted as an MSU football player in the fall of 2003. He was dismissed from the team in August 2004 for disciplinary reasons.

The Wright murder case led Montana State to re-evaluate its sports recruiting policies.

crazycat you wrote " Not really clear why they were dropped, but it sounds like Lebrum wasn't there when it occured and only helped with the robbery.”

How did you pull that out of this article??

It sounds to me like he got of on a technicality from the following quote:

"Avignone had succeeded in suppressing statements that Lebrum had made during his interrogation because Avignone was not allowed into the interrogation room.

"With Judge Salvagni suppressing those statements and with the (attorney general's) office deciding not to appeal, the state's case was significantly impacted," said John Worsfold, deputy county attorney. "

Thursday, Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert told the judge that the physical evidence in the case was consistent with the version of events Lebrum has told investigators from the beginning.

I'd assume that Lebrum's story was that he wasn't there. According to the prosecutor (Lambert), the physical evidence, (I've heard that there were footprints around the murder scene), matches what he says. So I'd guess that means his footprints weren't there. Does this satisfy your question? I'm using words such as assuming, guess, sounds like, and not really clear, because I don't know for sure.

I'd think that if they had physical evidence that contradicts what he said and implicates him in the murder, then they would still be seeking a murder charge.

[tampa_griz]

Avignone had succeeded in suppressing statements that Lebrum had made during his interrogation because Avignone was not allowed into the interrogation room.

"With Judge Salvagni suppressing those statements and with the (attorney general's) office deciding not to appeal, the state's case was significantly impacted," said John Worsfold, deputy county attorney.

Whenever a defense attorney argues to have his client's statements to police suppressed in court there's probably a good reason for it. That suppression (along with the absence of any physical evidence implicating the accused) may lead the DA to drop charges. But anyone with a modicum of deductive logic knows that it has nothing to do with someone's actual participation in a crime.

And as far as apologies go, the only person(s) that are deserving of one are the members Mr. Wright's family. The only people that should give it are Mr. Miller and Mr. Lebrum. Asking sports fans to apologize for the robbery/kidnap/murder of someone for $130 seems a bit insulting given the ramifications of those actions. But that's just me......

[tampa_griz]

I'd assume that Lebrum's story was that he wasn't there. According to the prosecutor (Lambert), the physical evidence, (I've heard that there were footprints around the murder scene), matches what he says. So I'd guess that means his footprints weren't there. Does this satisfy your question? I'm using words such as assuming, guess, sounds like, and not really clear, because I don't know for sure.

I'd think that if they had physical evidence that contradicts what he said and implicates him in the murder, then they would still be seeking a murder charge.

I would assume that his attorney wouldn't move to have a statement saying he wasn't there barred from court. Do you? Seems that a decent attorney would probably want a different type of statement thrown out. But I'm no attorney.....just someone with a little common sense.

[crazycat]

I'd assume that Lebrum's story was that he wasn't there. According to the prosecutor (Lambert), the physical evidence, (I've heard that there were footprints around the murder scene), matches what he says. So I'd guess that means his footprints weren't there. Does this satisfy your question? I'm using words such as assuming, guess, sounds like, and not really clear, because I don't know for sure.

I'd think that if they had physical evidence that contradicts what he said and implicates him in the murder, then they would still be seeking a murder charge.

I would assume that his attorney wouldn't move to have a statement saying he wasn't there barred from court. Do you? Seems that a decent attorney would probably want a different type of statement thrown out. But I'm no attorney.....just someone with a little common sense.

And common sense tells us that Lebrum's story isn't confined to what he said to the police when he didn't have a lawyer present.

The county attorney is the one saying (agreeing) that the physical evidence matches what Lebrum says. So there's actually evidence supporting Lebrum's story. Given that, it's probably safe to assume that he didn't have much of a case against Lebrum with or without whatever he said w/o an atty present.

This pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Thursday, Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert told the judge that the physical evidence in the case was consistent with the version of events Lebrum has told investigators from the beginning.

The county atty is the person charged with collecting evidence against the defendant. However, the evidence he collected ended up supporting Lebrum.

[crazycat]

I'd assume that Lebrum's story was that he wasn't there. According to the prosecutor (Lambert), the physical evidence, (I've heard that there were footprints around the murder scene), matches what he says. So I'd guess that means his footprints weren't there. Does this satisfy your question? I'm using words such as assuming, guess, sounds like, and not really clear, because I don't know for sure.

I'd think that if they had physical evidence that contradicts what he said and implicates him in the murder, then they would still be seeking a murder charge.

I would assume that his attorney wouldn't move to have a statement saying he wasn't there barred from court. Do you? Seems that a decent attorney would probably want a different type of statement thrown out. But I'm no attorney.....just someone with a little common sense.

And common sense tells us that Lebrum's story isn't confined to what he said to the police when he didn't have a lawyer present.

The county attorney is the one saying (agreeing) that the physical evidence matches what Lebrum says. So there's actually evidence supporting Lebrum's story. Given that, it's probably safe to assume that he didn't have much of a case against Lebrum with or without whatever he said w/o an atty present.

This pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Thursday, Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert told the judge that the physical evidence in the case was consistent with the version of events Lebrum has told investigators from the beginning.

The county atty is the person charged with collecting evidence against the defendant. However, the evidence he collected ended up supporting Lebrum.

This is in today's Chronicle:

Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert said he agreed to the plea bargain because he believed Lebrum’s co-defendant, former MSU basketball player Branden Miller, was the one who killed Wright.

Lambert also said he had no evidence to convict Lebrum of homicide; Miller might not have testified against Lebrum; and Wright’s family approved of the plea agreement.

[PDXGriz]

If this is what Bobcat smack has resorted to, I feel sorry for you.

[crazycat]

If this is what Bobcat smack has resorted to, I feel sorry for you.

I feel sorry for you that you didn't get the response you wanted the first time you posted this.

Basically this thread is to remind the people that were ripping on MSU football for having a player two years removed from the program supposedly murder someone. Some people, including the media, tried, and are still trying, to make Lebrum sound like he was an active member of the team when this happened. Of those some, including the media, were only doing this to bring down MSU football. Where are they now that the murder charges were dropped? Looks like a few are upset that they were dropped. Why? Because, 'aww shucks', it no longer links a murderer to MSU football.

Q2 news referred to Lebrum as a 'star' on the MSU football team when it reported the murder charges were dropped. A few fans seem pretty sure that Lebrum is only getting off due to a bungled investigation, even though the county attorney has said otherwise: He didn't say he couldn't find enough evidence to prosecute Lebrum, he said the evidence supported Lebrums's side of the story. The family of the murdered man supports the decision to drop the case. Add to that the fact that Miller has changed his story from fingering Lebrum to proclaiming himself guilty.

I'm not trying to paint Lebrum as a some kind of saint, just trying to set things straight on one scar against MSU football.

Here's an article on Miller's confession: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3181368 It's interesting to read now. At this time Miller seems to have begun caving in and confessing, but based on what the county attorney is saying now, not fully. It will be interesting to see what Miller's lawyer says regarding Lebrum having the charges dropped.

[DCC2MSU]

Just don't start any petitions.

[grizzh8r]

If this is what Bobcat smack has resorted to, I feel sorry for you.

I feel sorry for you that you didn't get the response you wanted the first time you posted this.

Basically this thread is to remind the people that were ripping on MSU football for having a player two years removed from the program supposedly murder someone. Some people, including the media, tried, and are still trying, to make Lebrum sound like he was an active member of the team when this happened. Of those some, including the media, were only doing this to bring down MSU football. Where are they now that the murder charges were dropped? Looks like a few are upset that they were dropped. Why? Because, 'aww shucks', it no longer links a murderer to MSU football.

Q2 news referred to Lebrum as a 'star' on the MSU football team when it reported the murder charges were dropped. A few fans seem pretty sure that Lebrum is only getting off due to a bungled investigation, even though the county attorney has said otherwise: He didn't say he couldn't find enough evidence to prosecute Lebrum, he said the evidence supported Lebrums's side of the story. The family of the murdered man supports the decision to drop the case. Add to that the fact that Miller has changed his story from fingering Lebrum to proclaiming himself guilty.

I'm not trying to paint Lebrum as a some kind of saint, just trying to set things straight on one scar against MSU football.

Here's an article on Miller's confession: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3181368 It's interesting to read now. At this time Miller seems to have begun caving in and confessing, but based on what the county attorney is saying now, not fully. It will be interesting to see what Miller's lawyer says regarding Lebrum having the charges dropped.

Wow.

That REALLY pisses me off. He didn't even see the field, and was dismissed after his first season because of his attitude/temper. This is why I HATE the news "sources" - from the smallest daily paper to CNN.

[kstack]

OK. For all you people who smacked around the MSU football team over this Wright murder here's your opportunity to eat crow. The murder charges were dropped against former red-shirt Lebrum.

Actually the Associated Press should lead off. How many times did they tack onto the end of their stories a reference to MSU football and this murder?

I know, I know this doesn't get rid of the other issues (drugs, APR).

Man, this is nothing for MSU faithful to be proud of. Lebrum is a punk and has embarrassed the MSU athletics program and the school murder charge or not.

[spider]

OK. For all you people who smacked around the MSU football team over this Wright murder here's your opportunity to eat crow. The murder charges were dropped against former red-shirt Lebrum.

Actually the Associated Press should lead off. How many times did they tack onto the end of their stories a reference to MSU football and this murder?

I know, I know this doesn't get rid of the other issues (drugs, APR).

Lame.

[crazycat]

OK. For all you people who smacked around the MSU football team over this Wright murder here's your opportunity to eat crow. The murder charges were dropped against former red-shirt Lebrum.

Actually the Associated Press should lead off. How many times did they tack onto the end of their stories a reference to MSU football and this murder?

I know, I know this doesn't get rid of the other issues (drugs, APR).

Man, this is nothing for MSU faithful to be proud of. Lebrum is a punk and has embarrassed the MSU athletics program and the school murder charge or not.

In case you haven't read the entire thread, and apparently you haven't, I've said that I'm NOT trying to portray Lebrum as a saint. But people, several Griz posters and some of our own, used this murder to portray MSU football in a bad light. Lebrum may be the biggest bum on the planet, but for those that insist on portraying him as a murderer and associating him with MSU football, I think this thread is pretty relevant. Say what you want about basketball. Miller actually played and was a star on the hoop team, unlike Lebrum who was a red-shirt for one year and never saw the field, let alone become a star.

The football program took a lot of flack for this crime. Now that it turns out the football program probably wasn't involved, the murder as it relates to anyone from the football program, may very well have not happened. Robbery? Yes. Murder? No. Robbery is a pretty heinous act, but it's not murder.

[DCC2MSU]

OK. For all you people who smacked around the MSU football team over this Wright murder here's your opportunity to eat crow. The murder charges were dropped against former red-shirt Lebrum.

Actually the Associated Press should lead off. How many times did they tack onto the end of their stories a reference to MSU football and this murder?

I know, I know this doesn't get rid of the other issues (drugs, APR).

Man, this is nothing for MSU faithful to be proud of. Lebrum is a punk and has embarrassed the MSU athletics program and the school murder charge or not.

In case you haven't read the entire thread, and apparently you haven't, I've said that I'm NOT trying to portray Lebrum as a saint. But people, several Griz posters and some of our own, used this murder to portray MSU football in a bad light. Lebrum may be the biggest bum on the planet, but for those that insist on portraying him as a murderer and associating him with MSU football, I think this thread is pretty relevant. Say what you want about basketball. Miller actually played and was a star on the hoop team, unlike Lebrum who was a red-shirt for one year and never saw the field, let alone become a star.

The football program took a lot of flack for this crime. Now that it turns out the football program probably wasn't involved, the murder as it relates to anyone from the football program, may very well have not happened. Robbery? Yes. Murder? No. Robbery is a pretty heinous act, but it's not murder.

1) To say he had no involvement is very likely a huge assumption.
2) Someone doesn't have to be a 'star' to be part of the football program.
3) Expecting people to apologize for thinking a person is a murderer, when he may only be an accessory and was involved in the robbery that led to the murder, is probably not the best way to get people to move on. In fact, I would say it does a damn fine job of keeping it fresh in people's minds. But if that is what your goal was, then job well done.

I don't see a way anyone - the 3 individuals directly involved, the additional athletes indirectly involved, or MSU - comes out looking good.