| | Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Former Kansas City Chiefs running back
Bam Morris was denied bond Wednesday on charges he trafficked in marijuana.
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| Morris |
Morris was ordered held until his trial by a judge who said he did not trust Morris to follow conditions of release.
Morris was on probation for a marijuana conviction in Texas at
the time he was arrested in Kansas City. Texas authorities have
issued an arrest warrant for violating terms of the probation.
"I don't have any particular confidence you will follow my
conditions (of release) any more than you've followed the
conditions from Texas," U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer
said in denying bond.
Morris, who retired at the end of the season, had pleaded innocent to federal charges.
The federal indictment alleged a wide-ranging ring in which marijuana was imported into Missouri and Kansas from Mexico, Texas and California.
Morris' participation was allegedly financed by former Chiefs
kick return specialist Tamarick Vanover. Vanover, who is
cooperating with the investigation after pleading guilty to his
role in selling a stolen car, was cut by the Chiefs after the
allegation that he gave $40,000 to Morris to buy drugs.
Morris' attorney, William Rork, said the charges against Morris
were based solely on the words of Vanover and his personal
assistant, Gregory D. Burns. Burns is also charged in the case.
Morris was given probation in 1996 when he pleaded guilty to marijuana possession in Rockwall, Texas. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1998 for violating probation, but served only 89 days after his attorney was able to arrange a plea bargain.
State District Judge Sue Pirtle, who approved the agreement, made it clear in 1998 that it would be his last chance.
"It may look like you're getting off, but if you don't report to all meetings (or) if you are involved with drugs or even alcohol, you have a sentence for 10 years already in place," Pirtle told Morris then.
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