Burress Pleads Guilty, Gets 2 Years

Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree this morning, as part of a plea deal that will send him to prison for two years, Newsday reports. “Unfortunately, there was no legal defense we could offer,” his attorney said. Burress will also receive two years' probation.

Burress was originally charged with reckless endangerment as well. Had he been convicted on all counts at trial, he’d have faced a minimum of three and a half years in prison. An assistant DA said it was standard to ask for a two-year sentence on such serious charges, but Burress’ attorney called it a “very severe punishment,” given that “this was not an intentional criminal act.” (More Plaxico Burress stories.)