Burress applies for work furlough
December 8, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Former Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress(notes) wants to get a break fromprison, but prosecutors said Tuesday they will likely try to block his bid forwork release because he hasn’t served enough time.
The former New York Giant applied for a work furlough—which would let himspend some portion of his time at home—on Nov. 25, about two months into histwo-year sentence for carrying an unlicensed gun that went off and wounded himat a Manhattan nightclub. State prison system officials are expected to decideon his request next month.
Prosecutors said the bullet narrowly missed a security guard, and theyinsisted on at least a two-year prison term. A quick furlough would send “avery bad message,” Manhattan Chief Assistant District Attorney Mark Dwyer saidTuesday.
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“It’s too early,” he said.
Burress’ lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, declined to comment.
Statistically, Burress’ effort is a long shot. Less than 5 percent of themore than 31,500 work release applications statewide were granted last year,according to the state Department of Correctional Services.
Under state law, inmates convicted of nonviolent offenses can apply for workfurloughs within two years of their release dates. Burress pleaded guilty inAugust to a form of attempted criminal possession of a weapon that allows him tobe eligible for work release, state corrections spokeswoman Linda Foglia said.
Officials deciding on furloughs weigh factors including the inmate’s crime,his prison behavior and any opposition to the release, she said.
Burress, then a Giants receiver, was at the Latin Quarter nightclub inNovember 2008 with a .40-caliber gun tucked into his waistband. He later said hewas concerned for his safety because a teammate had been held up at gunpointelsewhere days before. The weapon slipped down Burress’ leg and fired, injuringhis right thigh.
The gun wasn’t licensed in New York or New Jersey, where Burress lived; hisFlorida concealed-weapons permit had expired.
Sentenced in September, Burress is now being held in protective custody atan upstate prison because of his notoriety.
Inmates on work release generally get to spend several days and nights eachweek out of prison working and reconnecting with their families; the exactarrangements vary for each inmate. Some are allowed out full-time for the lastfew months of their sentence, Foglia said.
It’s unclear what work Burress, 32, might do if given a furlough. The Giantsreleased him in April, and the NFL has suspended him for the duration of hissentence.
Burress, who caught the Giants’ winning touchdown over the New EnglandPatriots in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl, has said he hopes to playagain.
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