Las Vegas police seized two handguns, ammunition and two bulletproof vests from the home of boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and two cars after a shooting outside a skating rink.
Search warrant documents released Thursday said one of the handguns seized Monday was loaded.
No one was hurt in the shooting, and Mayweather has not been named as a suspect by police. Police responded to the shooting at 10:06 p.m. Sunday at the Crystal Palace Skating Center, 4680 Boulder Highway.
The LA Times printed the story under a slightly different headline.
Guns and ammo confiscated from Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s home
Now, that's certainly an attention grabber, but would such an action count as "confiscation," as we use it in the gun debate? I don't think so. But my question is, why were the guns and other items seized? Isn't Nevada one of the most gun friendly states? Can't you have items like that in your home without fear of the police coming in and taking them away? Mayweather is not some gang banger without resources, rather he's a super talented prize fighter, already a very rich one. Wikipedia has the complete rundown, including the famous bout with De La Hoya.
Mayweather's next match was the long-anticipated superfight against six-division champion and current WBC Super Welterweight titleholder Oscar De La Hoya on May 5, 2007. De La Hoya's belt was on the line, which required Mayweather to move up in weight from 147 pounds to 154.
Despite De La Hoya's insistence that money was not a factor, the Mayweather-De La Hoya bout set the record for most PPV buys for a boxing match with 2.4 million households, shattering the record of 1.95 million for Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson II. Around $120 million in revenue was generated by the PPV, which set another record.
With the percentages factored in, Oscar De La Hoya ended up earning $58 million for the bout, the highest purse ever for a fighter. The previous record was $35 million, held by Tyson and Holyfield. Floyd Mayweather earned about $25 million for the fight.
Mayweather won by split decision in 12 rounds, capturing the World Boxing Council (WBC) title.
The boxing world awaits the next big showdown between Mayweather and Pacquiao, hopefully later this year. That payday should help Floyd Mayweather afford the lawyers necessary to get his guns back. What do you think?
Please leave a comment.
mikeb do you ever actually read the links to the stories that you post?
ReplyDeleteBut my question is, why were the guns and other items seized?
There was a shooting. One of the victims said Mayweather had threatened him. Another victim placed Mayweather at the scene of the crime. So there is evidence that supports issuing a warrant. Just because he is not a suspect yet doesn't mean the police can't get a warrant to search his premises. Do you understand how law enforcement works or is it just all magic to you? Please tell me you don't actually believe the police shows you see on TV?
If you read the warrant, one of the guns is a Bryco, just about the cheapest gun you can buy. I wonder how many Brycos are recovered from Rolls Royce cars?
ReplyDeleteReputo, Ignoring your sarcasm for a moment, don't you find it objectionable that a man who is "not named as a suspect" in a shooting in which no one was hurt can have his guns taken away?
ReplyDelete"a shooting in which no one was hurt"
ReplyDeleteThere was still a threat made, and there was property damage.
There are many cases where I think the police are allowed to go overboard on collecting evidence, (and are not pressured enough to give it back as soon as practical), but from what I can see here, it appears to be reasonable.
I don't find it objectionable if they are evidence for a crime. In this case, the police know that A) a shooting took place, B) Mr. Mayweather reportedly threatened the victim, C) an eyewitness put Mr. Mayweather next to the person who did the actual shooting. There isn't even a leap of faith required to deduce that Mr. Mayweather may be involved. The warrant makes sense based on the evidence available. You don't have to have evidence "beyond a shadow of a doubt" to issue a search warrant. Reasonable suspicion is enough in most cases. That bar has been met.
ReplyDeleteNext, the guns were not "taken away," they are being held as evidence. Most likely tested and if determined to not be the one used and the investigation is closed, then Mr. Mayweather can get them back. Also, assuming that Mr. Mayweather is not a prohibited person, it shouldn't be too hard (by your own admission) to get a replacement for the time being. And with his funds, I would hope he gets something better.
Finally, what would be objectionable if in this instance a judge issued a search warrant for my home. While theoretically possible that I may have been the shooter (or anyone else for that matter), the fact that A) the victim didn't say I threatened him and B) no credible witness could put me in the same state at the time of the shooting, would probably be enough to have the judge disbarred or run out of town on a rail if he issued a warrant to search my home for this shooting. Frankly, there isn't a judge in this country that is that stupid.
Are you sure your "separate-justice-system-for-talented-people" isn't clouding your reasoning here?