Burress denied work release
Jailed wide receiver Plaxico Burress was denied entry into a work release program. The former New York Giants’ receiver applied for work release for the second time. If he were granted the realease he would been allowed to serve part of his two-year sentence from home and working.
New York State’s Department of Correctional Services said that due to the nature of Burress’s crime, he could not be granted work release. Burress was arrested in November 2008 after a handgun in his pocket went off in a Manhattan nightclub, as he accidentally shot himself in the leg. Burress was convicted for attempted criminal possession of a weapon, which is a very serious crime in New York.
"The serious and negative impact illegal guns have on the community coupled with [the] dangerous nature of the weapon discharging in a public place renders him unsuitable for work release," the agency said.
This was the second time Burress requested work release since he began serving his sentence twelve months ago. Burress can appeal the decision otherwise he can’t apply again for work release until June.
The 33-year-old pleaded guilty as prosecutors said a bullet fired narrowly missed a security guard. The gun wasn’t licensed in New York or New Jersey, where Burress was living at the time.
When Burress is released from jail, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that Burress will be reinstated into the league. Giants’ general manager Jerry Reese has also said he’d consider bringing Burress back. The Giants released Burress in 2009 after suspending him for the late stages of the 2008 season.
Burress of course is the one who caught the winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII when the Giants defeated the undefeated New England Patriots 17-14. Burress caught the winning pass on a fade route in the back of the end zone with just 35 seconds remaining in what was a Super Bowl for the ages.
Burress has vowed he will play in the NFL again one day. Assuming he is not granted work release, he will be out of jail sometime next summer. Prison authorities have said that Burress has behaved well in prison which may lead to an earlier release. He would then be eligible to sign with an NFL team.
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