Henry's court cases under negotiation

[BengalszoneBilly]

Good luck Chris, you're gonna need it!

Henry's court cases under negotiation

By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer

January 11, 2007

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Attorneys for Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry are trying to reach plea agreements on his two remaining criminal cases, which put him at risk of another suspension from the NFL.

The second-year receiver was arrested four times in seven months in three states. The Bengals responded by benching him for two games, and the league suspended him for two games last season after the first two court cases ended with plea agreements.

Henry has two cases pending that could bring more punishment from the league, depending upon the outcome. Prosecutors in both cases said plea agreements are being discussed.

A conference is scheduled Jan. 25 in a northern Kentucky court to update a case stemming from the last of his four arrests. Henry pleaded not guilty last June 15 to charges accusing him of providing alcohol to three underage females.

Kenton County assistant attorney Kenneth Easterling doubts that an agreement will be reached by then.

"We are still negotiating," Easterling said. "We have not reached a resolution."

Henry's lawyer, Robert Lotz, doesn't comment on pending cases.

On Feb. 15, Henry is scheduled to go on trial in Ohio in Clermont County on charges accusing him of drunken driving and speeding. Prosecutors expect an agreement that would avoid a trial.

"We expect there will probably be a plea, that's all I can tell you," Clermont County prosecutor Don White said. "It's a difficult case from the prosecution's point of view."

Henry was arrested last June by a State Highway Patrol trooper, who said the receiver registered 0.092 percent on a blood-alcohol test. The state's legal limit is 0.08 percent.

A drunken driving conviction would most likely bring another suspension from the league, but prosecutors will have a difficult time proving the charge. They agreed in November that the machine used for the breath test wasn't properly calibrated, and a judge threw out the results.

"So it's a DUI case without a breath test," White said.

Henry avoided jail time while resolving his first two criminal cases.

His first arrest came in December 2005 in northern Kentucky. He eventually pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and completed a drug rehabilitation program. Coach Marvin Lewis benched Henry for one game following that arrest.

Last September, he again avoided jail time by pleading guilty in an Orlando, Fla., court to a concealed weapon charge. He had been accused of pulling the weapon during a fight. Henry got 100 hours of community service and was put on probation for two years.

Henry also was with teammate Odell Thurman when the linebacker was arrested and accused of drunken driving last Sept. 25. Henry was a passenger in the vehicle, but wasn't charged. Thurman, who already had been suspended four games by the NFL for skipping a drug test, had the suspension extended for the rest of the season.

The NFL also suspended Henry for two games for violating its substance abuse and conduct penalties. He was benched for one game by the Bengals, as well.

Under league policies, Henry could be suspended again for any additional conviction related to the use of alcohol.

[HairOnFire]

Good luck Chris, you're gonna need it!

I'd say he's had good luck already. The breathalizer test has already been thrown out of the DUI case, and the prosecutor admitted in the article that without it they have no choice but settle for a plea bargain.

And as for the case of providing booze to three teenage girls, I have to ask if this is something that Henry can actually be suspended for?

[schweinhart]

Boy if Dopey can get pleaded down to reckless driving or better yet improper lane change he could avoid any suspension it sounds like. It'd be nice for the Bengals to know as soon as they can but probably not likely they sign or draft a WR high unless the league pounds him with 4 or more games, which they may be able to do if they add some extree on grounds of conduct policy for the underage deal.

Course Dopey is due for another arrest.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Boy if Dopey can get pleaded down to reckless driving or better yet improper lane change he could avoid any suspension it sounds like. It'd be nice for the Bengals to know as soon as they can but probably not likely they sign or draft a WR high unless the league pounds him with 4 or more games, which they may be able to do if they add some extree on grounds of conduct policy for the underage deal.

Course Dopey is due for another arrest.

With their needs on defense, they'd have to be insane to draft a WR high. Heck, hire Matt Millen while we're at it.

[jjakq27]

With their needs on defense, they'd have to be insane to draft a WR high. Heck, hire Matt Millen while we're at it.

That should one of the last things they draft. Hopefully Tab Perry will be back and able to contribute on passing situations next year.

[Kirkendall]

I still don't understand how Thurman is "off the team" but Henry (with his on-the-field lack of effort and "other things") is still highly regarded on the team in terms of playing time and contributions. Bring back Thurman!

[BengalszoneBilly]

I still don't understand how Thurman is "off the team" but Henry (with his on-the-field lack of effort and "other things") is still highly regarded on the team in terms of playing time and contributions. Bring back Thurman!

I want them BOTH on the field. IMHO if our legal system doesn't dictate them to go to prison, then they should have the right to work just like anyone else. Screw the league front office, those monopolistic bastards!

Professional football was never intended to be played by pussified, non-risk taking people. It's the nature of the game, and the people within it. They are not all going to be the best role models in the world. Never have been, and never will be. Get used to it.

[Kirkendall]

That's the thing, Odell had a DUI. Chris Henry has ____ (enter your own favorite multiple-arrested joke here). Based on the view of players against the law, Thurman did nothing more than O'Neal or Steinbach. Now, obviously, his 2006 suspension was drug use and the failure to show up to a test (supposedly).

It really makes me wonder...

What exactly did Thurman do to warrant this negative reaction from the team?

IS there two sets of rules for players?

[HoosierCat]

I think there's two elements to the Odell "firing." First of all, as compared to Henry, Odell has no strikes left. Another screwup and it's either (another) year-long suspension or the boot for good (depending on how this current extended abscence is scored under the rules). Henry could end up in the same boat depending on how things go. But the bottom line is that, in order to build a team, you have to be able to count on players to be able to take the field -- and they can't count on Odell.

The other issue, I suspect, was that his last DUI happened with McNeal and Henry in the car. He wants to drive his own self off a cliff, that's his business, but I'm sure Marvin didn't appreciate the idea he would take two other Bengals with him.

[agreen_112]

This just simply was not our year. Henry will get his s**t straightened out and Odell will suit it back up (in orange and black).

Hopefully Henry's cases will get dropped so he can put that rough spot of his life behind him. We've got one talented group of WR's and for Henry to lead the team with TJ in TD receptions, should really say something. This boy has talent.