Jones Pleas Leniency to Judge

Disgraced Olympic champion Marion Jones pleas for leniency from the US Court, stating that she had been punished enough and that going to prison for lying about steroids and cheating drug tests is no longer necessary. Her lawyers have asked the federal judge to just let her off with a probation when the judge hands her sentence in the next week.


Her lawyers memo mentions her already existing punishments-- being cast from American hero to national disgrace, public scorn, stripping of gold medals, accomplishments, wealth and public standing. Jones had already admitted in October that she had lied to federal investigators, and was seen announcing her retirement, crying and asking for forgiveness from all of the United States


Part of the plea agreements was the prosecutors suggestion to sentence her to six months in prison, as a maximum punishment. Pre-sentencing papers stated that anything between no time and six months time is an appropriate window for Jones' punishment. The filing had included a doping calendar from the Bay Area Laboratory files, where it was indicated that Jones had used several performance-enhancing drugs, which denotes a concentrated, organized long-term effort to use those illicit substances for her own personal gain. Part of her charges also included derailing the government's investigation with her false statements.


Jones defense papers are filled with letters from friends telling about her good works, such as the immunizing of infants in Ghana and improving sports facilities in Belize. Some of her friends were big names in the corporate industry, including Comedy Central producer Melissa Johnson and CEO of Bancorp Henry McKay Jr. Endorsements also came fro Sue Humphrey, who was the head coach of the 2004 women's Olympic track and field team. All these supporters of Jones, had pleaded for their friends' devotion to her two children, and how she is essential to their care.