Judge allows Bears' Johnson to travel to Miami for Super Bowl

[clevfan]

Judge allows Bears' Johnson to travel to Miami for Super Bowl

The Associated Press

SKOKIE, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson will play in the Super Bowl -- with court approval.

Cook County Judge John Moran granted a defense request Tuesday to allow Johnson to leave the state as he awaits trial on gun possession charges. The Bears will play the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl in Miami on Feb. 4.

Johnson's attorney, Lorna Propes, said Johnson will have no special restrictions placed on him while in Miami.

"Terry Johnson is going to Miami to play football and represent the Bears," she said.

Johnson was arrested Dec. 14 after police raided his home in Gurnee, about 40 miles northwest of Chicago. Prosecutors say officers found six weapons and ammunition in Johnson's home. He faces 10 counts of possession of firearms without a state gun-owner identification card.

Johnson, arrested three times in 18 months, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Assistant State's Attorney Rick Cenar said the prosecution did not object to the judge's decision because Johnson has complied with the terms of his home confinement.

"It's also a legitimate work-related reason," Cenar said.

A court hearing to possibly drop Johnson's home confinement was set for Feb. 8, four days after the Super Bowl.

Earlier this month, a judge in Lake County, where Johnson's home is located, granted a defense request to allow him to travel freely outside the state.

But Cook County prosecutors argued Johnson's December arrest violated probation from a 2005 gun charge. A Cook County judge previously ordered Johnson to stay at home except to go to work, and he needed Moran's permission to leave Illinois for the Super Bowl.

Johnson's bodyguard, Willie B. Posey, was arrested on felony drug charges after the raid on Johnson's home; Posey was shot and killed two days later during an early morning fight while he and Johnson were at a nightclub in Chicago.

The Bears suspended Johnson for one game for being out at the club.

[Uncle B]

that seems reasonable..besides, it's Miami.

how much trouble could a trigger happy asshat get into, in Miami?