by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 10 – A former New York football Giants wide receiver, Clyde "Pete" Hall, got a twenty year prison sentence for wire fraud in 2009. He got compassionate release from prison amid the COVID pandemic - and was arrested arranging a narcotics deal in his apartment on 120th Street in Harlem. On August 10, 2023 he came to plead guilty before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. Inner City Press was there, thread:
OK - Hall is 84 years old and in custody, with two US Marshals.
Judge Vyskocil: Why was he not in prison on his 20 year senrence imposed in 2009? AUSA: We were never told. Warden released him.
Defense: It was compassionate release by BOP. Judge Sullivan not involved.
Note: Hall caught 2 passes in the NFL. Now he's caught 2 felonies
Judge: You're letting him plead to a lesser included offense in order to get around Congress' 10 year mandatory minimum? AUSA: It is our right to charge folks as we see fit [See e.g. dropping of SBF campaign finance charges, and cases of Miles Guo and Avi Eisenberg
Judge: Do you have a college degree? Hall: Philosophy B.S. from Marquette. Judge: Do you speak English? You may think this is strange but I have to ask. Doctors? Hall: I have a prostate issue. I take medicine daily.
Judge: Is your mind clear?
Hall: I don't know what you mean. Judge: Are you confused? Hall: About today's proceedings? No. Judge: How do you plead? Hall: Guilty.
Judge: Even for the lesser included offense, there is a 5 year mandatory minimum. Your plea agreement is 135 to 168 months. It could be consecutive, are you aware?
Hall: Yes.
Tattooed man here in gallery with Inner City Press: "No! I don't think he's clear on that
Judge: There shall be no further commentary from the gallery...
[US Marshal throws significant look at Tattooed Man. Unclear who's taller.]
Hall: In March and April 2021 I agreed to distribute fentanyl, on 120th Street in an apartment I was living in.
Judge: Where was the overt act?
Hall: In the hall. I was a professional athlete. I knew it was wrong. AUSA: We have recordings and texts.
Judge: The plea is accepted. Sentencing December 5 at 11 am.
Afterward Inner City Press asked his lawyer and talkative supporter(s) and was told that the speaker was "family." Inner City Press gave them card with contact information...
The case is US v. Hall, 21-cr-290 (Vyskocil)
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