Kidnapper Caught On Tape: "I'm really not a bad kid."
Basketball Star Turned Thug Faints At Prison Sentencing In Cleveland
Re-printed from a story at WCPO Channel 9 on August 22nd 2012
Convicted Kidnapper, Tony Farmer, in a Cleveland court for sentencing. Video courtesy of WJW FOX 8.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - Tony Farmer, one of the most highly recruited basketball players in Ohio, collapsed in court on Tuesday after receiving a three-year prison sentence.
Farmer plead guilty to charges of Robbery, Assault, Kidnapping and Intimidation of the victim, all charges being related to an April incident where he confronted his ex-girlfriend, Andrea Lane. The crimes took place at her home near Rockside Road.
As Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Pamela Barker announced Farmer's sentence he collapsed in court. 18-year-old Farmer remained on the ground for a short time before being pulled to his feet by Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Deputies.
According to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason's office, Farmer can file for judicial release once he becomes eligible after 180 days.
Before sentencing, Farmer told the judge, "I'm really not a bad kid," and asked for the chance to finish his senior year in high school so he could earn a basketball scholarship.
But Judge Barker reminded him that the security video from the apartment building shows him kicking Lane in the head as she cowers in a corner. The tape clearly shows the nearly 7 foot tall Farmer mecrilessly beating his 5' 6" girlfriend repeatedly, kicking her in the head while she is down and dragging her out of her building.
When Farmer was arrested he characterized the incident as "a fight with his ex-girlfriend.".
In an odd twist, the victim provided an impact statement on Farmer's behalf prior to his sentencing. Despite Lane's plea to keep Farmer from going to prison, Barker handed down the sentence.
Farmer, who was set to be a senior at Garfield Heights High School, stands 6'7" tall and weighs 220 pounds. He was named Second Team All-Ohio for the 2011-12 season by the Associated Press.
He was widely considered one of the top 100 basketball players in the class of 2013, and according to Yahoo! Sports Rivals.com, was being recruited by several major college programs, including Xavier in Cincinnati.
References:
WCPO Channel 9, OH basketball star sentenced to 3 years in court
WJW FOX 8, Judge details assault on video in court
Live Leaks, High School basketball standout Tony Farmer sentenced to three years in prison
Re-printed from a story at WCPO Channel 9 on August 22nd 2012
Convicted Kidnapper, Tony Farmer, in a Cleveland court for sentencing. Video courtesy of WJW FOX 8.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - Tony Farmer, one of the most highly recruited basketball players in Ohio, collapsed in court on Tuesday after receiving a three-year prison sentence.
Farmer plead guilty to charges of Robbery, Assault, Kidnapping and Intimidation of the victim, all charges being related to an April incident where he confronted his ex-girlfriend, Andrea Lane. The crimes took place at her home near Rockside Road.
As Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Pamela Barker announced Farmer's sentence he collapsed in court. 18-year-old Farmer remained on the ground for a short time before being pulled to his feet by Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Deputies.
According to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason's office, Farmer can file for judicial release once he becomes eligible after 180 days.
Before sentencing, Farmer told the judge, "I'm really not a bad kid," and asked for the chance to finish his senior year in high school so he could earn a basketball scholarship.
But Judge Barker reminded him that the security video from the apartment building shows him kicking Lane in the head as she cowers in a corner. The tape clearly shows the nearly 7 foot tall Farmer mecrilessly beating his 5' 6" girlfriend repeatedly, kicking her in the head while she is down and dragging her out of her building.
When Farmer was arrested he characterized the incident as "a fight with his ex-girlfriend.".
In an odd twist, the victim provided an impact statement on Farmer's behalf prior to his sentencing. Despite Lane's plea to keep Farmer from going to prison, Barker handed down the sentence.
Farmer, who was set to be a senior at Garfield Heights High School, stands 6'7" tall and weighs 220 pounds. He was named Second Team All-Ohio for the 2011-12 season by the Associated Press.
He was widely considered one of the top 100 basketball players in the class of 2013, and according to Yahoo! Sports Rivals.com, was being recruited by several major college programs, including Xavier in Cincinnati.
References:
WCPO Channel 9, OH basketball star sentenced to 3 years in court
WJW FOX 8, Judge details assault on video in court
Live Leaks, High School basketball standout Tony Farmer sentenced to three years in prison
Comments