Q: WHY SHOULDN'T THIS DRUG DEALER GO TO PRISON? A: BECAUSE HE'S IRISH AND HAS LYME DISEASE (...OH, AND HIS DAD IS A CHIEF OF POLICE!) By LUKAS I. ALPERT
December 13, 2006 -- The Lyme made him coconuts.
A lawyer for the pot-dealing son of former NYPD bigwig and current Miami Police Chief John Timoney argues that his client shouldn't serve a day in prison because his battle with Lyme disease sent his life into a downward spiral of drugs and depression.
Sean Timoney, 26, is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court in Albany today - nearly a year since he pleaded guilty to trying to buy 400 pounds of marijuana from an undercover agent. Prosecutors have asked for a sentence of 30 to 37 months.
Sean Timoney's lawyer, Ed Hayes, said his client's march down a wayward path began in 1995 when he was diagnosed with the tick-borne illness that causes fatigue, swelling of the joints and neurological changes, including depression.
"It is my understanding from various medical experts that Lyme disease symptoms can span the range of both psychological and physiological problems in teens," Hayes wrote in a pre-sentencing letter to Judge Thomas McAvoy urging leniency.
Hayes also argued that "from a historical standpoint, both sides of Sean's lineage, like so many other of Irish-American descent, suffer from alcohol abuse," predisposing him to addictive behavior which led him to drugs.
Before contracting the illness, Hayes said, Timoney was a dedicated athlete who had "a special bond with his father" - then the NYPD's second in command. But Timoney's symptoms forced him to leave school before graduating and drove a wedge between him and his father, the lawyer said.
Things got worse when the elder Timoney moved to Philadelphia in 1998 to become police chief there - leaving his wife behind in Rockland County where she helped their son finish his high-school requirements from home.
Two years later, the mother and son moved down to Philly, where Sean Timoney enrolled at St. Joseph's University. Soon after, Mrs. Timoney was diagnosed with cancer, sending her son into a deep depression, during which he dropped out of school and turned to the heavy use of marijuana, the letter said.
Timoney cut ties with his family and friends as he sunk deeper into a malaise that culminated with his arrest Nov. 1, 2005, as he and a co-conspirator, Jae Seu, 23, met with the undercover at a Rockland motel. The pair had with them a duffel bag filled with $400,000 intended as a down payment for the drugs.
Timoney pleaded guilty on Dec. 21, 2005. Since then, he has had his sentencing postponed three times while he underwent drug and alcohol treatment and began communicating with his family again. He has also held down a steady job as a construction contractor, and his health has significantly improved, Hayes said.
Seu, on the other hand, pleaded guilty in February and was incarcerated immediately. He was formally sentenced to 37 months in August.
Hayes wrote in his letter that "Sean completely understands that his previous actions may warrant a sentence that includes jail time."
But the lawyer added, "Under these circumstances, a jail sentence may be counterproductive.
"For the first time since he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, Sean has been able to function without many of the strong side effects that plagued him in the past.
". . . Most recently, Sean spent the Thanksgiving holiday with his parents, sister and niece in Miami, Fla., where [his father], John, currently serves as the [head of] police," the lawyer said.
"He has found a great balance of work, therapy and family support that will not lead him down the path once taken."
posted
I'm Irish and probably have lyme disease (we'll see in less than a week), what can I get away with?
Good to know I have a defense against all kinds of things built in.
Although I don't think buying pot should be illegal (*disclaimer* this is not to say that I buy it or anything).
Posts: 106 | From Michigan | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Could someone please try to fix this post?? It makes me
Thank you! Posts: 240 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2006
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Areneli
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6740
posted
The very long link did it. I have removed it.
Posts: 1538 | From Planet Earth | Registered: Jan 2005
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
i've got 10 kilos to sell. can't get covicted i'm jewish,and have lyme. maybe we can market illecit drugs on this site to pay for the ones we need.
mjdave Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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quote:Originally posted by stymielymie: i've got 10 kilos to sell. can't get covicted i'm jewish,and have lyme. maybe we can market illecit drugs on this site to pay for the ones we need.
mjdave
Ya!! I could use the cash too!!
Thanks Areneli!
Posts: 240 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2006
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
All things considered....
This MAY be helpful in our plight!
It would set a precedent in a court of law recognizing lyme disease as a debilitating mind and personality reality.
I hope the kid gets off, for lyme related reasons!
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
do yah think tony has ulterior motives for this case.
what you planning on doing tony, robbing a bank????
they would never convict you with that last name and lyme who thats a better ecuse than i have.
and from cleveland man go for the gold.
docbarb
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Anything that helps to get the message out that lyme is a real, physiologic reason for some pretty terrible psychological effects (everything from "making horrible choices and being irritated because you're tired" to depression, lyme rage, psychosis etc..) is good in my book.
Trying to claim Irish heritage though is kind of a cop out. I wish they would have just stayed with lyme.
Posts: 691 | From East coast, USA | Registered: Jun 2006
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Dang....
Nobody feels sorry for the drinking IRISH...
OR for Jews either lately huh docbarb!?
I mean I thought there was a little animosity toward the jews in Mel's other movie "The Passion" but then he gets drunk and blows it wide open...LOL
And recently this so called whatever it was and Amadigihjan and David Duke getting together to compare notes....sheesh! Barb you ain't got a chance!
SO Who's It lately? Last I heard it was Charlie!
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
400 pounds = 181,436948 Kilos That is a lot medicine if he intents to use it that way.
Posts: 641 | From Wroclaw, Poland | Registered: Mar 2004
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
WE NEED MORE MEDICINE IN THE US THAN IN EUROPE. WE GOT PRESIDENT BUSH REMEMBER. CRAZY GUY ,DUMB GRIN!!!LOL
docdave Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
"WE NEED MORE MEDICINE IN THE US THAN IN EUROPE. WE GOT PRESIDENT BUSH REMEMBER. CRAZY GUY ,DUMB GRIN!!!LOL"
I would take Bush over nutty Gore or Soldier bashing Kerry anyday.
Posts: 40 | From CT | Registered: Oct 2006
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caat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2321
posted
I think you guys are all stoned.
Posts: 1436 | From Humboldt county ca usa | Registered: Mar 2002
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
That's because you're from Humboldt County Caat where everyone IS stoned*)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
First of all you people have to remember that this article was taken a little overboard. Remember this dick head has nothing else better to do then to write **** he has no idea what the **** he is talking about.
Second of all you people also have to remember that **** we have all ****ed up once in our life the only reason why everyone is making a big ****ing deal about it is because of who his father is.
Third this article does forget to mention how good sean has been doing in the past year. He really has got his **** together and deserves a second chance. This is the first ****in time this kid got arrested I mean my God give the kid a ****in brake. I know I have been given a second chance. People learn from their mistakes. And if anyone says that they never done soemthing ****ed up i would like to meet them because that its not possible.
Posts: 1 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Dec 2006
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Sorry to jump into this obvious light thread with a more serious question.
I was mostly wondering IF this guy was going to get lyme meds in jail/prison?? Does the county/state/jail system HAVE to treat him for lyme while he is their 'guest'??
Always heard jailed people get the best of medical/dental care,,,but dont know.
Would expensive medical problems be a reason for 'shorter' or deferred, suspended sentences so they DONT have medical/ RX expenses?? Or do they poo-poo the whole concept like many medical enities do???
Do they just let people be warehoused and suffer and die?? Cant believe they dispense any pain meds there!!I dunno cause I am --just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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3greatkids
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3838
posted
Young brains,watching your Mom struggle w/ disease,Lyme infesting your growing brain,no where to turn.
Wow,and we turn our backs on these types of kids everyday.The only new thing w/ this case...Lyme is mentioned.
There are plenty more just like him out there,go into any court system.We just throw them away around the age of ,starting at 16.....too much to handle....too much trouble.
For every kid you save,there are 100s right behind them.W/ the NCLB program and requiring every kid to have a PHD before graduation,gee that helped!
Cocoon America and I thought Lyme instilled empathy.We need big brothers and sisters now than ever before,or parents to step up to the plate.
Don't think it's a lower income problem...the rich ones are spending it up their noses,faster than the parents can hand it over.The ones w/ out...steal and deal.
Posts: 1076 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
I have watched once a movie (don;t remember a title) and a guy there said that government compaining is pretty much a national sport in USA Same in Poland LOL , but big part of people are fed up with it.
Posts: 641 | From Wroclaw, Poland | Registered: Mar 2004
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
man angel your not speaking must like an angel.
your talking more like tony. never seen so many astericks in one post.
guess what folks, you break the law it don't matter what's wrong with you period.
you kill a kid drunk you go to jail. you have alzheimer's and run into a house you go to a nursing home with security.
you drive blind and kill someone you go to jail.
disease is not an excuse for breaking the law, here this tony, only ignorance.
docbarb
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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