NBA legend Earvin Magic Johnson is in the news this week due to his written plea to a Michigan Judge asking for a light sentence for Jay Vincent. Johnson and Vincent were not only former teammates at Michigan State during their National Championship, but were even roommates.
Vincent has been charged and tried for fraud after a scheme to bilk prospective home inspectors out of phony background and insurance checks. The sentencing hearing for Vincent is scheduled for today and he could face a minimum of 9 years in prison.
In his letter to the court, Johnson said he has known Vincent “since we were little kids growing up in Lansing.”
He asked the judge to consider giving Vincent a “second chance and a light sentence” so that he could “reclaim his dignity and rejoin his family.”
He said he and Vincent were friends growing up, often playing basketball together.
“We were not only teammates at Michigan State where we won the 1979 NCAA Championship together, but we were roommates,” Johnson wrote. “And that’s where I really got to know him. Jay was an incredible teammate with a tremendous heart. He got his motivation and determination from his close knit God-fearing family and was always focused on best and player he could be.”
He acknowledged that Vincent did wrong, and hoped Vincent would pay victims back.
“With all due respect to the parties involved, and my heart goes out to them, I ask again that you consider his time served and have mercy on him and not allow this one incident of bad decision making to change the course of his life.”
[Via Mlive]
