Man requests longer prison term to honor Larry Bird

[Ben W]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A man got a prison term longer than prosecutors and defense attorneys had agreed to -- all because of Larry Bird.

The lawyers reached a plea agreement Tuesday for a 30-year term for a man accused of shooting with an intent to kill and robbery. But Eric James Torpy wanted his prison term to match Bird's jersey number 33.

"He said if he was going to go down, he was going to go down in Larry Bird's jersey," Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliott said Wednesday. "We accommodated his request and he was just as happy as he could be.

"I've never seen anything like this in 26 years in the courthouse. But, I know the DA is happy about it."

http://snipurl.com/ir23

 

[robycop3]

Nuffin against bird, but it seems Mr. Torpy's priorities are badly skewed.

 

[faithgirl46]

I was surprised when I heard this. It is like Lsrry Byrd is an idol to Torpy.
Faithgirl

 

[ccrobinson]

I'm 100% sure that Larry Legend is unbelieveably honored. What a tribute to him.

 

[Petrel]

Wow, I bet he'll be bummed when they parole him in about ten years.

 

[Sampson]

That is very odd, I didn't know you could request jail time.

 

[just-want-peace]

Just prooves that every person will find some object to worship; be it God, science, fame ----or even a sports star!

Pitiful, but true!

 

[PatsFan]

I was afraid he was a Massachusetts resident since Bird was a Celtic great. Our state has enough madness without this, ha, ha.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Good thing his idol isn't Wayne Gretzky.

 

[Bob Alkire]

That would be life, 99 years. That would keep him off the streets for a while.