Marion Jones asks Bush to commute 6-month sentence

WASHINGTON — Disgraced Olympic track star Marion Jones has asked President Bush to commute her six-month prison sentence for lying to federal agents about her use of performance-enhancing drugs and a check-fraud scam.

The Justice Department confirmed Monday that Jones is among hundreds of convicted felons who have applied for presidential pardons or sentence commutations, but would provide no further details. A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that removes civil liabilities stemming from a criminal conviction, while a commutation reduces or eliminates a person's sentence.

Such applications are reviewed by the Justice Department, which makes a recommendation to the president.

It's unclear when Jones, who won three gold and two bronze medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, made the request. She entered prison March 7 in Fort Worth, Texas.

After frequently denying that she ever used performance-enhancing drugs, Jones admitted last October she had lied to federal investigators in November 2003. Jones also admitted lying about her knowledge of the involvement of Tim Montgomery, the father of her older son and a former 100-meter world-record holder, in a scheme to cash millions of dollars worth of stolen or forged checks.

Jones was sentenced in January to six months in prison and 400 hours of community service in each of the two years following her release. She was sentenced to six months on the steroids case and two months on the check-fraud case, but was permitted to serve those sentences concurrently.

The judge in Jones' case said the check-fraud scheme was a major crime, and the wide use of steroids "affects the integrity of athletic competition."

(This version CORRECTS the definition of pardon.)

Comments

[sherbug]

Since she only has 6 weeks left in jail, she should be asking for a pardon, rather than a commutation.

[PAposter]

I agree, and it makes more sense, I think this article may be inaccurate with regard to her request. Either way, hell no!

[Beernuts]

Let's see---causing the death and displacement of millions of people, lying about anything and everything regarding war, peace, the economy, my left foot=this man will be chronicled as the most corrupt, incompetent and amoral person to ever aspire to, hold or disgrace the office of POTUS. Marion Jones could have used her "talents" to better advantage I'd say, maybe as a "runner" for Scooter Libby's (un)law(ful) practice?

[starfire426]

My thoughts, precisely!!!

[kellygrrrl]

Criminal in charge of pardoning Criminals

great

[Dajo]

Marion Jone is now more than ever a disgrace. She has stooped so low as to ask Criminal Bush to commute her sentence. Pathetic

[Khrish]

Bull Crap! He's the one who should be in jail. He and his whole corrupt staff

[MPeter]

Absolutely. Plus, Bush only commutes those who contributed to his political campaigns or helped him lie and smear political opponents. I am not sures Marion Jones rose to that level.

[All57States]

Didn't Marc Rich get his pardon from Clinton because he contributed to the Clinton library?

Just askin.

[robertlockwoodmills]

I have no idea whether or not Marion Jones deserves to have her sentence commuted. I know for a fact that George W. Bush is the last person on the planet who should make the decision.

[Stoyver]

So she is going to prison for taking steroids and for lying? I can see a million hours of community service, but six months in the big house with murderers and armed robbers?

I hear that Texas privatized its penal system and now the prison bidness is thriving. They even bid on prisoners from other states. Perhaps they have excess capacity. Texans...

[presto]

He probably shouldn't commute anyone's sentence but still....s­he is hardly a threat to the public. And she is certainly no Scooter Libby. It was a sad story - she was so inspiring to watch.

[TurgidCaterwauling]

Jones seems like a nice enough woman, but the thing is she knew she was doing wrong, did it anyway, lied about it, and got caught. Hard to sympathize.

[Moka11]

I feel sad for Jones but she is ...shamele­ss. She lied to everyone when she was under suspicion. I went to a party in LA post her Olympic wins where she was the honored guest sponsored by a few international products where she got lot's o' money for that appearance. She was inhaling the praise like a Hollywood starlet knowing full well that she cheated. My date at the time made a remark about Jones physical appearance, notably her jaw. My date was a physical therapist and said Jones's pronounced jaw was a giveaway sign she was "juicin". This pronounced jutting jawline is physically apparent with most female bodybuilders who juice and end up on or in female bodybuilder magazines. It never occured to me and now I notice it all the time.

[clsez]

LETTER TO MARION JONES FROM THOSE IN THE KNOW.

Hey Marion,

I know George Bush. I have seen George Bush and for what its worth Marion, You ain't no Scooter Libby. Sorry, your least crime should have been outing a CIA agent. THAT would have got you a commutal.

[lexnekst]

Doesn't she know how the system works? By the time they even hold a hearing her 6 months will have been long gone.

Just do your measly amount of time, Vick got 2 years- Bush aint gonna help you, he already got his hands full with Rove and Blackwater.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

If only she had outed a CIA agent, Bush would have an easier decision.

[Lion24]

Exact-a-mundo.

[tjwisconsin]

Are you suggesting Richard Armitage be sent to prison?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

I'm talking "willfully," and you know it.

Since you're so up on the topic, you wouldn't happen to know what Bush SR. had to say wouldja?

[kellygrrrl]

true! that would have ben a no-brainer

[DominicCalzoni]

Bush says he will let her off to compete in Beijing...­If she wins 5 gold medals she is free. if not ...TOUGH!