Bird fan asks for, gets more jail time
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A man got a prison term longer than prosecutors and defense attorneys had agreed to -- all because of Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird.
The lawyers reached a plea agreement Tuesday for a 30-year term for a man accused of shooting with an intent to kill, and robbery. But Eric James Torpy wanted his term to match the Basketball Hall of Famer's jersey No. 33.
"He said if he was going to go down, he was going to go down in Larry Bird's jersey," Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliott said Wednesday. "We accommodated his request and he was just as happy as he could be.
"I've never seen anything like this in 26 years in the courthouse. But I know the (district attorney) is happy about it."
Bird, French Lick, Ind., starred at Indiana State and then with the Boston Celtics.