Albany Student Press: Point guard faces charges

[UA'08]

This is stupid, cops just being pricks. C'mon its the 4th of July who hasn't done this stuff before. What a** hole calls in a complaint about firework noises? Unbelivable! That's just unAmerican.

 

Plus what's wrong with Carl Ross hanging out in albany w/ the players. Just because he was kicked off the team doesn't mean he can't still be good friends with people on the team or whoever still goes to Albany. I'm sure people who transfer schools still keep in touch.

[UAalum72]

T-U story on page 3

[sarge965]

This is stupid, cops just being pricks. C'mon its the 4th of July who hasn't done this stuff before. What a** hole calls in a complaint about firework noises? Unbelivable! That's just unAmerican.

 

Plus what's wrong with Carl Ross hanging out in albany w/ the players. Just because he was kicked off the team doesn't mean he can't still be good friends with people on the team or whoever still goes to Albany. I'm sure people who transfer schools still keep in touch.

 

 

Yeah - let them start fires in dumpsters so AFD has to be called out. Then act like idiots because they have been drinking and then don't cooperate with the cops. Yeah cops are pricks - right. The arrests would have been avoided if they had acted like men instead of little boys - drinking/fireworks/very few students on campus - recipe for trouble. I am not real happy with these guys at the moment. You don't have be an angel but the blame is squarely on these young men who need to start making better choices.

[Dane96]

All due respect Sarge, none of us knows what went down. I was arrested and jailed for two days in Saratoga back in 1997 because I refused to rat out friends who likely did damage to the Saratoga Hospital Parking lot (all witnesses agreed I was not present. The police were trying to scare me into telling a false story so they could get charges to stick on these guys (all athletes for UA-- football, lax and soccer). Cops literally abused me, dislocating my shoulder...among other nasty shat they pulled. Not only did I get a public apology from the City....my medical bills paid...the charges dropped...but, in addition, the cops got canned for false imprisonment, battery, stacking false charges...etc!!!

 

Until I know details, I dont pass judgement because much like college kids...cops can be FAR from Saints.

[Phoenix]

All due respect Sarge, none of us knows what went down.

 

Maybe 'Sarge' wouldn't have made such claims unless he did/does have some knowledge of what occured, just possibly?...considering we all don't know who everyone on this board is or is not, I might be hesitant to make those claims, Dane96...fortunately, neither Mr. Johnson nor Mr. Ross hurt anyone (that we know of) with the fireworks while celebrating the 4th...there could certainly be worse alleged crimes that people could commit...but Mr. Johnson lives in NYS so I'm sure he knows fireworks (and open containers) are illegal..especially while doing so in the open on a college campus...while there's no need to make a mountain out of a mole hill here, Mr. Johnson (and Mr. Ross) should have been MUCH smarter.

[Dane96]

I am not hesitant at all to make the claim.

 

Unless Sarge was the arresting officer...or one of those on scene when the arrest was made, I stand by my comments. And if Sarge WAS one of those I just mentioned...he shouldnt be posting on here about it. Frankly, I think the kids were f'in stupid...and definitely should get some slap-- I remember Doc always telling us (JV and Varsity, plus in his Coaching class) how much more we needed to keep our noses clean than other kids because of the limelight...even at DIII.

 

So that...I blame the kids for.

 

But I think my statement is spot on-- NONE OF US KNOWS WHAT WENT DOWN. I do want to know what Carl Ross was doing there. That is a heck of a trip to make for July 4...

[sarge965]

No I do not know exactly what went down - I know that UPD was called there once by who I have no idea. Then AFD had to be called because a garbage dumpster caught fire - caused by the fireworks. Say what you want about your own experiences but the bottom line is these guys made their own bed. These are not serious offenses but there is definitely a serious lack of judgement on the part of at least the two young men who were arrested. No one is going to jail over this but I find it sad that this party got this much out of control. When you are on campus for the summer the sun's rays are even more intense under the magnifying glass. Innocent until proven guilty does not make the officers who made these arrests "pricks". As for Carl Ross being there - what's the big deal he was a member of the team who was pretty well liked by his teammates.

 

And yes all professions have their fair share of problem people - cops do and its very public - but this is more of the daily routine BS that every cop has to deal with every patrol day. Believe me in my personal experience - the last thing any of the cops wanted to do on July 4 was to arrest anyone associated with the basketball team

[McFan]

I wasn't there and don't know anything either.

 

This is really stupid. Fireworks on the 4th, sure. On campus, stupid. By a full ride point gaurd on the D1 basketball team, really stupid. Enough to get arrested, beyond stupid. Watch the fireworks, light some, but when the cops come remove yourself from the situation. How many of us have been at parties that were broken up? Walk away, it's easy. My buddy ended up in an Albany Police car after arguing that the stereo was too loud. "Sorry officer, we'll turn it down."

 

As we'll never know the full story, I'll guess that they (Ross and Johnson) were at a minumum beligerant. My dealings w/ the police is that on the 4th of July, they look the other way for fireworks. If needed they usually provide a warning. Then maybe a ticket.

[UA_MA_2000]

All due respect Sarge, none of us knows what went down. I was arrested and jailed for two days in Saratoga back in 1997 because I refused to rat out friends who likely did damage to the Saratoga Hospital Parking lot (all witnesses agreed I was not present. The police were trying to scare me into telling a false story so they could get charges to stick on these guys (all athletes for UA-- football, lax and soccer). Cops literally abused me, dislocating my shoulder...among other nasty shat they pulled. Not only did I get a public apology from the City....my medical bills paid...the charges dropped...but, in addition, the cops got canned for false imprisonment, battery, stacking false charges...etc!!!

 

Until I know details, I dont pass judgement because much like college kids...cops can be FAR from Saints.

 

 

I echo D96's comment COMPLETELY, and I also offer my sympathy to D96 for having to go through something like that. OMG!

 

Although OT, I have heard several non-published/public horror stories about Saratoga PD (even a story about a savage beating to a kid who did absolutely NOTHING wrong but be in the wrong place at the wrong time while exiting a billiards bar). Grant it, Saratoga PD deals with never-ending crap from drunk people (including verbal insubordination) up on 'Toga, but still, it's called due process, hoodlums!

[UA_MA_2000]

I wasn't there and don't know anything either.

 

This is really stupid. Fireworks on the 4th, sure. On campus, stupid. By a full ride point gaurd on the D1 basketball team, really stupid. Enough to get arrested, beyond stupid. Watch the fireworks, light some, but when the cops come remove yourself from the situation. How many of us have been at parties that were broken up? Walk away, it's easy. My buddy ended up in an Albany Police car after arguing that the stereo was too loud. "Sorry officer, we'll turn it down."

 

As we'll never know the full story, I'll guess that they (Ross and Johnson) were at a minumum beligerant. My dealings w/ the police is that on the 4th of July, they look the other way for fireworks. If needed they usually provide a warning. Then maybe a ticket.

 

Although I don't know much about what happened, your thoughts here generally are perfectly stated! I 100% agree!!

[bleedpurple101]

I can't speak for all but 'most' UPD officers ARE in fact pricks, its a prerequisite for the job.

 

If I were a judge I would smack these officers for wasting my time as these charges are going to be thrown out at 10x the speed of an Obama first pitch. This to me is the equivalent of someone getting arrested for jaywalking during a parade. This won't effect the season one bit, it'll just make for some clever signage by opposing fans.

[alum73]

I know several UPD officers and they are not pricks, so you must not know them.

[bleedpurple101]

I know several UPD officers and they are not pricks, so you must not know them.

 

probably not.

[JCSoup2]

Just posted a quick update on the Johnson situation...

 

http://blog.timesunion.com/asp/504/ualbany...s-to-plea-deal/

[UA_MA_2000]

Good, glad this has come to a close and glad he was given the opportunity to plead to what appears to be only a violation (as opposed to a misd. or fel.).

 

New York State Penal Law provides as follows (for those who are curious):

 

§ 240.20 Disorderly conduct.

 

A person is guilty of disorderly conduct when, with intent to cause

public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk

thereof:

1. He engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening

behavior; or

2. He makes unreasonable noise; or

3. In a public place, he uses abusive or obscene language, or makes an

obscene gesture; or

4. Without lawful authority, he disturbs any lawful assembly or

meeting of persons; or

5. He obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic; or

6. He congregates with other persons in a public place and refuses to

comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse; or

7. He creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act

which serves no legitimate purpose.

 

Disorderly conduct is a violation.

 

NYS Penal Law 240.20