Judge refuses to dismiss case against poker playersBy Schuyler Kropf (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, August 22, 2008
A judge Friday morning refused to dismiss a case against five holdout poker players charged more than two years ago in a gambling raid. Mount Pleasant Judge Jay Lawrence Duffy Jr. refused to dismiss the case, saying enough evidence existed that illegal gambling was going on. A lawyer for the five holdout players -- Bob Chimento, Scott Richards, Michael Williamson, Jeremy Brestel and John Taylor Willis -- had argued that the state's anti gaming laws are vague and unconstitutional. Duffy denied the argument, saying the legislature had visited the statute at least 9 times and never "did they have a problem with vagueness." In April 2006, Mount Pleasant police busted up a "Texas Hold 'em" tournament at a Glencoe Street home which had been under observation for some time. The game had been advertised via an Internet "meet-up" site set up specifically to attract poker enthusiasts from around the Lowcountry. Players paid a $20 "buy-in" to join the game, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the house. Only about eight of the approximately 24 people involved lived in Mount Pleasant. The others hailed from Charleston, James Island, Summerville, Hanahan and North Charleston. Authorities seized nearly $6,000 and a small quantity of drugs. Earlier this year, 19 players arrested in the raid pleaded guilty in Charleston County magistrate court to one misdemeanor count of unlawful gaming. In exchange, authorities agreed to dismiss additional counts against them. Friday's ruling means the next step for the five holdouts is to pursue a trial or guilty plea. |
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Comments
This article has 8 comment(s)
Posted by Buffy1 on August 22, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, I for one will sleep better tonight knowing these monsters are off the street! I will probably not even lock my door- the world is a much safer place!
WTF?
Posted by common_sense on August 22, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Uh judge...have you seen my van? Dude.
I'm just sayin...
Posted by GreenvilleGirl on August 22, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are so many other issues our government and judiciary should be concentrating on. What a waste of our money. Unless someone held a gun to a player's head and forced them to play, make them pay a small fine and be done with it!
Posted by zoomru on August 22, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard they were having card games at the Republican Caucus and the DEMS new digs at the ACLU location this week right here in CHUCKTOWN!!
These card games are for real and they are using our impending tax increases as chips !!!
MY BACKSIDE !!!
Posted by hobo on August 22, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Judge Jay Lawrence Duffy Jr. had no opinion on the constitutionality of one's right to a fair and speedy trial?
Posted by zoomru on August 22, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if any of that LOOT from the "HEAD START ...ROBBERY!" is being used to "COVER" any losses??
Judge DUFFY !....stop drinkin' "Homer's" beer and set your gavel on the GERMAN tourist give-away!! 100K worth !!
What political web are you trying to weave??
WE WANT TO KNOW !!!
Posted by ohyea on August 22, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know if the police department should choose which crimes to pursue based on Tax Dollars. Maybe they'll use a sliding scale based on budget cut percentages...
Posted by luvmydogs59 on August 22, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We all know that SC's gambling law is antiquated and ridiculous, yet the lottery, which is gambling, is allowed.
The people playing these poker games had the money to be able to participate, so apparently it was not a financial burden to them, yet, go to a store and watch who buys lottery tickets...I've seen many a person use their last dollars to buy one or two. I was waiting on line to purchase some items one time, and a lady of meager means struck up a conversation and as we were chatting, she told me that she uses money she really doesn't have to spare to get tickets because she was sure that someday she'd hit it big. She told me that even though she didn't even have money to get food sometimes, she always will get a lottery ticket. How sad is that? Under the guise of "legal" gambling, our elustrious state is taking the money from people who can least afford it....but that's ok???
The state should either make all forms of gambling legal or follow their own laws and do away with the lottery. IMHO