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Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 02:08:05 PM EST
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Actor Tom Sizemore was sentenced to 17 months on a probation violation today. Among the interesting details of the case:

The 43-year-old Sizemore, who has starred in many films including "Black Hawk Down", "Saving Private Ryan", failed seven drug tests while on probation for a 2003 domestic violence conviction with his ex-girlfriend, "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss.

According to one report, Sizemore tried to pass one of the drug tests by using urine from a prosthetic penis sewn into his underwear.

Sizemore did not react well to the sentence:

Following the sentence, Sizemore reportedly sobbed, gestured and begged for another chance as he delivered a rambling speech before being handed the sentence by Superior Court Judge Antonio Barreto.

If Sizemore didn't attempt to contact Fleiss while on probation, but was only violated for failing drug tests, then the sentence is too harsh. Treatment, not prison, will cure drug offenders.

And on a related note, Mike Krause of the Independence Institute has an excellent article on why state legislatures should take the F word out of drug possession and use laws. (F stands for felony.)

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    Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months | 12 comments (12 topical)
    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#1)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 02:35:42 PM EST
    Treatment, not prison, will cure drug offenders. Actually, neither will "cure" someone who doesn't want to be cured.

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 03:48:03 PM EST
    Regarding the "treatment, not jail" movement, it's unfortunate that so many perfectly functioning members of society who just happen to like smoking a joint from time to time get lumped in with heroin and crack addicts, and forced to waste their time with condescending lectures and classes. But that's better than hauling them off to jail, and it's a necessary (and palatable to the general public) step on the way to defelonization, decriminalization, and finally legalization.

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 04:42:56 PM EST
    Of course, if he didn't beat up his girlfriend the drugs wouldn't be an issue. Someone remind why I should feel sorry for this guy.

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 04:56:51 PM EST
    You can get your own plastic drug test penis in the racial coloring of your choice here: www.whizzinator.com.

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 05:41:18 PM EST
    BocaJeff: You should feel sorry for the guy because he presumably paid the penalty for the gf assualt while being hauled back into jail for the mickeymouse non-violent "crime" of having his bodily fluids have metabolites of marijuana. "Gotcha". Unlike you perhaps, I don't see the drug/probation rap as having antying to do with the previous criminal conviction. To me, this harassment of folks, even former felons, for petty rules breaking about drugs is cruel and counterproductive.

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#6)
    by pigwiggle on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 06:12:00 PM EST
    To the question of treatment; it seems forcing someone into treatment isn’t significantly different than forced medical treatment or a medical procedure. It is noble to endeavor to help someone, but only if that someone wants help (otherwise you’re a pushy jacka$$). And Skaje, this goes for those using fairly innocuous drugs, and likewise those using drugs you consider more problematic. As for Tom, I consider probation light for a violent assault. And Heidi Fleiss; a woman I admire, a first class entrepreneur, a free thinker, a non-conformist, self-made in spite of having relatively few advantages, a contemporary role model.

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#7)
    by pigwiggle on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 06:26:03 PM EST
    Here is an interesting bit; the American Enterprise Institute, an often favorably quoted source of notable Republicans, has released this report on the US drug war (careful, its around 4.5MG). Some conclusions; · Domestic enforcement should be directed toward reducing drug-related problems, such as violence around drug markets, rather than locking up large numbers of low-level dealers. · Eradication of drug crops in source countries should not necessarily be a routine aspect of international programs, especially where it may conflict with other foreign policy objectives. In fact, evidence shows that such control is very unlikely to reduce America’s drug problem. · Criminal punishment of marijuana use does not appear to be justified. · Treatment services for heavy users, particularly methadone and other opiate maintenance therapies, need more money and fewer regulations. · Programs that coerce convicted drug addicts to enter treatment and maintain abstinence as a condition of continued freedom should be augmented. Pinch me.

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 08:13:51 PM EST
    Actually, sarcastic one, contrary to popular belief it isn't necessary for the individual to want rehab for a program to be successful. Studies over the last 30+ years have shown that it takes 8 stints in rehab for a person to "kick the habit" and this proves true whether the rehab is voluntary or court mandated. So, there is something to be gained if prisoners are required to enter a program while incarcerated.

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 06:56:16 AM EST
    Rich Boy needs help in prison, but after prison what a movie he will make, is he gay?

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 07:57:09 AM EST
    Why are we talking about this guy at all. Whats make him so special. This goes on all over. Lets talk about real people not actors.

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#11)
    by Adept Havelock on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 01:10:13 PM EST
    "Lets talk about real people not actors."
    Guess I'm just feeling a little snarky, so I have to ask: ED, what Biologically makes an actor a faux Homo Sapien? When does this biological process begin? Is it contagious, or are we unaware of what leads to primary cases as in Hansen's disease?

    Re: Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Mar 27, 2005 at 01:38:04 PM EST
    Sizemore was sentenced to 17 months AND four months in a treatment program. AFAIK, he was sentenced for methamphetamine addiction, not marijuana use. The US military is passing out 'Go Pills' like candy to the poor sobs stuck in Bush's Demockery Installation Exercise (pre-Civil War Theatrics). Get ready for the GIs you so "support," wingers, to sit in cells just like Tom's. Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue -- until the soldiers come home with brain injuries, drug addictions, toxic poisoning syndromes, missing limbs, and PTSD. Then it will be time to kick them as they lie in your path, sleeping in the gutter. Patriotism for False Wars knows no greater moment.

    Actor Tom Sizemore Sentenced to 17 Months | 12 comments (12 topical)