'I'm truly aware of that'
Tyson's no contest plea to assault charge could lead to prison
Posted: Wednesday December 02, 1998 09:49 AM
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Mike Tyson, accompanied by his wife, Monica, arrives at court in Rockville, Maryland AP |
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (AP) -- Because of what he said in a Maryland courtroom, Mike Tyson could end up back in prison.
The former heavyweight champion pleaded no contest Tuesday to misdemeanor assault for his role in a scuffle after a traffic accident.
The charges stemmed from an August 31 traffic accident in the Washington suburb of Gaithersburg, Maryland, involving Tyson's wife, Monica. Tyson was accused of kicking and punching two motorists involved in the accident.
"You understand that this plea could affect your parole," Judge Steven Johnson told Tyson before accepting his plea.
"I'm truly aware of that," said Tyson, who was released from prison in 1995 after serving three years of a six-year sentence for a 1992 rape conviction in Indiana.
It will be up to Indiana authorities to decide whether the no-contest pleas violated his probation.
Judge Patricia Gifford of that state's Marion Superior Court, who presided over Tyson's trial and sentenced him, said the county probation department must await word from Maryland authorities on any court action before it can review his probation.
Indiana does not have a provision allowing a defendant to plead no contest.
Although the plea to the two counts is not an admission of guilt, Tyson faces up to 20 years in prison -- 10 years on each count -- when he is sentenced in Montgomery County, Maryland, early next year. He also could be fined up to $2,500 for each count.
The prosecutor urged that jail time be part of Tyson's punishment.
Tyson told the judge he didn't expect leniency or a lighter sentence in return for entering the no-contest pleas. He would not discuss the case outside court.
The former heavyweight champion is scheduled to fight Francois Botha on Jan. 16.
Tyson is undergoing psychiatric treatment. That was one of the conditions that led to reinstatement of his boxing license by the Nevada Athletic Commission in October. The license was revoked after he bit champion Evander Holyfield's ears during a June 1997 title bout.
Tyson's lawyer, Paul Kemp, said the plea was an appropriate resolution to the case.
"Mr. Tyson certainly concedes that things occurred that were inappropriate," Kemp said.
Following the August accident, Abmielec Saucedo and Richard Hardick said Tyson attacked them. They have reached a settlement with Tyson to avoid a civil suit.
Kemp said Saucedo and Hardick are prepared to testify at sentencing that they support Tyson's no-contest plea.
"He does not admit to intentionally striking anyone when this incident occurred," Kemp said.
Kemp admitted that Hardick was struck with a glancing blow and Saucedo was inadvertently kicked as the boxer was restrained by his wife and bodyguard.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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