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Staal is offered plea deal in Minn.
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Wingsfan
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Staal is offered plea deal in Minn.

Well who didn't expect this.

DetJohnFla

Quote:
Penguins forward Jordan Staal and others arrested last month after his brother Eric's bachelor party were offered a plea deal that includes reduced charges and fines yesterday in Cook County Court in Grand Marais, Minn.

Jordan Staal and Eric Staal, who plays for Carolina, did not appear in court and have not accepted the plea but could do so later this month, according to one of their agents, Paul Krepelka, and Cook County prosecuting attorney Timothy Scannell.

"No one is doing any jail time," Krepelka said.

Fourteen men were arrested in the early morning of July 21 and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process. Jordan Staal, 18, also was charged with underage drinking.

Police had repeatedly warned the group at Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas to quiet down, then helped the resort escort the party-goers off the property. The 14 were arrested along Highway 61 for harassing motorists, according to a Cook County sheriff's office news release.

Ten of those arrested agreed to the plea deal, which calls for a reduced charge of petty misdemeanor disorderly conduct and an accompanying $587 fine, with the obstruction charge dropped. Jordan Staal also would face a $150 fine in the underage drinking charge.

Scannell said that while Eric Staal could accept the plea deal through a lawyer -- Krepelka said that will probably happen after he returns from his honeymoon next week -- Jordan Staal probably will be required to make a court appearance Aug. 22 because of the underage drinking charge.

The Staal brothers are from Thunder Bay, Ontario, about two hours from Cook County.

Krepelka said the main issue in accepting the plea deal is an assurance that the non-criminal petty misdemeanors would not affect the players' passport status and border crossing between Canada and the United States or for overseas travel for events such as the Olympics and world championships.

"The lawyers believe there would not be a problem, but we are checking with U.S. immigration to make sure their visas would not be affected," he said.

Jordan Staal is coming off a stellar rookie season. He had 29 goals, 42 points, led the NHL in short-handed goals (7) and shooting percent (22.1), was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year and made the All-Rookie team.

The Penguins have declined comment until the matter is settled.


08-09-2007 08:42 AM
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