Joined: Oct 29, 2002 Posts: 1081 Location: why u wanna know?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2002 12:26 am Post subject: CHECK THIS OUT
Witness claims to hear police toasting Iverson's 'next felony'
By DAVID B. CARUSO, Associated Press Writer
December 10, 2002
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A former hotel security guard says he overheard a police detective make a toast to Allen Iverson's ``next felony'' last summer, days before the NBA star was charged with threatening two men with a gun.
Wesley Gregg told Iverson's lawyers he was working a late-evening shift at a Philadelphia hotel July 8 when he spotted the lead detective in the investigation dining with other officers at the hotel's bar and heard him boast ``he is going down'' when a news story about the 76ers player appeared on TV.
When the detectives got up to leave, Lt. Michael Chitwood made a toast: ``This is for Iverson's next felony,'' Gregg said in a signed statement he gave Iverson's attorneys on July 24.
The lawyers never used the statement in court. Prosecutors dropped all charges against Iverson after the two men he was accused of threatening said they were unwilling to testify.
But the tale was passed along to Iverson, and his attorneys said Tuesday it formed the basis for comments the star made about Philadelphia police last month.
``I've heard about police officers toasting to Allen Iverson's next felony conviction,'' Iverson said during an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Daily News. ``I'm hearing about them saying I'm involved with one thing or another, and it scares me. I know that if there's a crooked cop out there, they could do anything to me. He could do anything. Allen Iverson could wind up dead tomorrow if a crooked cop wants him dead.''
After the interview, police commanders said such behavior by officers would not be tolerated. Some officers said they were offended by Iverson's remarks and considered them baseless. Several dozen said they would boycott a 76ers law enforcement appreciation night unless Iverson apologized.
Later, Iverson said he had intended to direct his criticisms at ``just a very few individuals'' on the force.
One of his attorneys, Larry Woodward, said Tuesday the guard's signed statement proves that ``Allen didn't just go out and make this thing up.''
``There was skepticism, or people were wondering where all that came from. Well, now they know,'' he said. He declined to provide Gregg's statement to The Associated Press, but a copy was printed in Tuesday's editions of the Daily News.
Chitwood, a decorated officer well known in the city for his involvement in high-profile cases, did not immediately return a phone call Tuesday.
He told the Daily News he was at a steak house in the Sheraton on the night in question, but denied making a toast involving Iverson.
``It's positively, undeniably false,'' he said.
Attempts to locate Gregg, who no longer works at the hotel, were not immediately successful. Iverson, one of the league's most popular players, was unavailable after the 76ers' practice Tuesday.
Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson defended the department's handling of the case and said any suggestion that officers may have been overzealous is false.
``As far as I am concerned, it is over. I am not going to do another investigation on Chitwood or anyone,'' he said.
``Hypothetically, even if true, it didn't involve any sort of violation of the law, or police rules or procedure,'' Johnson said. ``He is off duty. He has First Amendment rights, just like anyone else has.''
[ December 10, 2002: Message edited by: allen_iverson's_mistress ]
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2002 4:49 am Post subject: CHECK THIS OUT
I saw it today. This definately proves that ivy was justified in making those comments, so all those people who were bashing him for saying it can see that he had a good reason to be in fear.
They aren't even going to investigate it, but that policeman sould be punished for making that kind of statement when he is the head of an investigation. I bet he had a lot to do with ivey's case being taken that far, probably coersed the two guys to give false testimonies. You never know but things like this have happened before.
I'm glad its out in the open though.
Joined: Nov 12, 2002 Posts: 71 Location: somewhere on the map
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2002 5:22 am Post subject: CHECK THIS OUT
I read the article you posted and it tripped me out that the police aren't even going to investigate it. I don't understand how the police were, at first, so willing to help Iverson if he came to them, but, when an eyewitness, that heard every word, steps forward, they don't even want to look into it? That's bull! That makes the police look guilty.
Crooked cops are everywhere. They got them here too. You here about that s*** everyday around here because everybody knows somebody that works on the police force. Sometimes, you can pretty much tell who is crooked by the way they act. You know the type, be pressed to give you a ticket just to meet a fucking quota, talkin' s*** all the time, forever pickin on people for no reason.
What I really find funny is how they are talking about boycotting Law Enforcement night at the Sixers game because of his comments. Who the f*** cares? Ain't nobody gonna miss them? More seats for real fans.
