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Former WF Hoops Asst Coach Jamil Jones gets probation for 3rd degree assault (update)

Jones claimed that his window was punched in but never allowed the car to be examined by police, girlfriend was never questioned, and fled the state after being advised to turn himself in. Who has the privilege?

Still white people.

Just because one black person got a lenient sentence doesn't mean all black people do.
 
Don't know a thing about Jamil Jones other than he is 37 years old and that he used to coach basketball at Wake Forest. From what has been reported, Jones has no previous criminal record and have not even heard anecdotal evidence that he is in anyway a violent man or has lived a life that endangers others on this earth. So, this appears to be an out of character act by Jamil Jones.

On August 5, 2018, Jones failed to properly handle the situation when a drunk Sander Szabo (5 times the legal limit) stumbled down a New York street randomly banging on cars, including Jones' car, while he was inside with his fiancée. Jones responded by punching Szabo in the face. Szabo fell and died.

Because of that act, Jones lost his job. His career as a college basketball coach is likely done. Szabo's family can and probably will (if they haven't already) pursue civil remedies against Jones. Jones is on probation for three years, meaning that if he f-ups, in any way, over the next 3 years, he goes to jail. Guessing that a large part of whatever money Jones had saved as of August 2018 is now gone to pay his attorney.

Given these circumstances, what is the point of sending Jones to jail? Does it make society safer? Does it teach a lesson to Jones that he otherwise didn't learn in the aftermath of the August 2018 incident? Would sending Jones to jail aid victims rights by perhaps accelerating the healing process for the Szabo family? That's about the best argument that there is. Do some think that others will now punch strangers in the face because Jones "got a way with it" (to the extent Jones is considered to have "gotten a way with it")?

I don't know Jamil Jones. Maybe, he will wrongfully punch someone else in the face, but given his past and given what has happened, that seems unlikely. The future is never knowable with certainty.

Given the information available, Judge Joanne Watters got it right.
 
Don't know a thing about Jamil Jones other than he is 37 years old and that he used to coach basketball at Wake Forest. From what has been reported, Jones has no previous criminal record and have not even heard anecdotal evidence that he is in anyway a violent man or has lived a life that endangers others on this earth. So, this appears to be an out of character act by Jamil Jones.

On August 5, 2018, Jones failed to properly handle the situation when a drunk Sander Szabo (5 times the legal limit) stumbled down a New York street randomly banging on cars, including Jones' car, while he was inside with his fiancée. Jones responded by punching Szabo in the face. Szabo fell and died.

Because of that act, Jones lost his job. His career as a college basketball coach is likely done. Szabo's family can and probably will (if they haven't already) pursue civil remedies against Jones. Jones is on probation for three years, meaning that if he f-ups, in any way, over the next 3 years, he goes to jail. Guessing that a large part of whatever money Jones had saved as of August 2018 is now gone to pay his attorney.

Given these circumstances, what is the point of sending Jones to jail? Does it make society safer? Does it teach a lesson to Jones that he otherwise didn't learn in the aftermath of the August 2018 incident? Would sending Jones to jail aid victims rights by perhaps accelerating the healing process for the Szabo family? That's about the best argument that there is. Do some think that others will now punch strangers in the face because Jones "got a way with it" (to the extent Jones is considered to have "gotten a way with it")?

I don't know Jamil Jones. Maybe, he will wrongfully punch someone else in the face, but given his past and given what has happened, that seems unlikely. The future is never knowable with certainty.

Given the information available, Judge Joanne Watters got it right.

This is a very thought provoking post. My first reaction is that he should do time because he committed a senseless act of violence to an incapacitated human being. I mean how tough do you have to be to hit a guy in the face when he can hardly stand. Also it appears he waited 4 days to turn himself in and not sure but I don't think the girlfriend was interviewed (could be wrong on that count but she appeared to disappear). So he has no history but geez . Also Jones claims the window was broken which I find hard to believe. Given that he did not turn himself in until 4 days later who knows when it was broken or how. Perhaps there would have been scratches on the victims hands if he did it? Just think Jones made numerous bad decisions and based on what I have read might have deserved a more serious charge which would have mandated jail time. Is he a threat going forward, probably not but perhaps he should pay a stiffer price. Feel extremely bad for all involved. What a tragedy.
 
"Because of that act, Jones lost his job. His career as a college basketball coach is likely done. Szabo's family can and probably will (if they haven't already) pursue civil remedies against Jones. Jones is on probation for three years, meaning that if he f-ups, in any way, over the next 3 years, he goes to jail. Guessing that a large part of whatever money Jones had saved as of August 2018 is now gone to pay his attorney."

At least he is still alive
 
This has certainly been a life changing moment for Jamil Jones. Hopefully, he can turn his life around and doesn't commit anymore violent crimes or murder anyone in the future. He's certainly going to have to go on living with the consequences of his actions.

It's somewhat surprising that he is going to continue to pursue a career coaching basketball with kids. On the other hand that is where his experience lies. Interesting narrative and approach that this crime was only a misdemeanor so he should be allowed to coach again. We will see whether he can really continue a professional career in coaching. My guess given enough time, commitment and dedication that he can move forward again in the coaching world.
 
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