Chad Johnson sent to jail
The former N.F.L. star Chad Johnson – known as Chad Ochocinco during his playing days – was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail for a probation violation in a domestic violence case. Judge Kathleen McHugh of Broward County Circuit Court in Florida angrily rejected a no-jail plea deal after Johnson playfully slapped his lawyer on the backside in court.
“I don’t know that you’re taking this whole thing seriously” – Judge McHugh said. “This isn’t a joke.”
Chad Johnson.
Former NFL star Chad Johnson was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail for a probation violation in a domestic violence case by a judge who angrily rejected a no-jail plea deal after Johnson playfully slapped his attorney on the backside in court.
Johnson – known as Chad Ochocinco for his jersey number in Spanish during his playing days – had reached a deal with prosecutors calling for community service and counseling instead of jail. Broward County Circuit Judge Kathleen McHugh said she would tack on an additional three months’ probation because Johnson had failed to meet with his probation officer during three previous months.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usLgH3RvDmE
As an NFL player, Chad Johnson patted a lot of men on the butt when he liked their work, but on Monday, defendant Chad Johnson found out that one Florida courtroom was not the place to play that game.
After Johnson patted his lawyer on the rear, Judge Kathleen McHugh rejected Johnson’s plea to a probation violation in the domestic violence case involving Johnson and his then-wife, Evelyn Lozada.
Johnson was arrested in May for not meeting with his probation officer and was in court Monday to enter a plea.
After he was asked if he was pleased with his attorney, the former wide receiver once known as “Chad Ochocinco” gave his lawyer, Adam Swickle, a gentle pat on the rear.
McHugh was furious when people in the audience laughed.
“There’s nothing funny about what’s going on here today” – she told Johnson.
Johnson – 35 – replied that he wasn’t laughing.
Then McHugh said: “I don’t think anything’s funny about it, Mr. Johnson. This isn’t a joke.”