Classic attorney advice. Admit nothing. He will be hard to prosecute without witnesses. He has fished with others before. If they don't rat him out, which is unlikely, then the DA will probably plea bargain with him.

He won't have it so easy convincing tournament anglers.

if one wanted to see websites that for some reason had been taken down....

CLICKY

I can see it now with the Lawyers involved:
His Lawyer.
Mr. Rose:
1. Did you alter the weight of your fish?
Nope
2. Was the fish that was altered your fish?
Nope
3. Did you receive any money?
Nope
4. Is there anybody here that saw Mr. Rose alter the fish's weight?
NO
5. Gentlemen, where is the fish/evidence in question?
Released

Lawyer: "Your Honor, it appears that my client was unfairly accused of altering a fish that could not be POSITIVELY identified as the fish he weighed in. Furthermore my client did not receive any winnings so he can't be charged for COMMITTING a crime. Any evidence of said crime is not available so I move that this case be dismissed."

Sounds crazy but it COULD happen!

The one thing for certain is that his reputation is ruined.

why dont one of yall computer genuises invent a website for tournament cheaters. pictures and ALLLL

They have pictures of the evidence.

Between ?'s 2&3 did he volunteer for a polygraph??

I talked to a buddy that got 2nd at Lewisville in Bass Champs one year recently to him. He got $4000 compaired to getting $20,000. It sure could help him out right now.

Just wondering, if the fish was released how did they get the weight out of the fish?

According to the BLT statement. He removed the weight himself, with the TD and poligrapher present. they give him the option. either he remove it or they will.

Play along.
Are you 100% positive that it was his fish that was taken from the tank? Was there a positive chain of custody? Those pictures don't look real accurate?
Remember the Lawyers can twist anything. And when you are on the jury you are instructed to consider the factual evidence. Like the post mentioned above, a good shyster lawyer can twist anything! So, "Guys don't be disappointed if thy ain't no Lynchin' at the OK Corral Boat Ramp."

but how did it come out? Is there a way to make the fish throw it up or did he have to go in with long pliers to pull it out?

I was there, the fish couldn't swim , I heard that was the direction he was going as far as the weight. (obvious lawyer speak) The thing is (D Short will back this up) the fish couldn't have fed with the weight in it's gullet because it couldn't have chased down a friggin bait. That argument will have holes shot through it by state's expert witnesses ie: Dave Short

I have wondered why they didn't give him the money then arrest him??

I asked this question many many pages back. I forgot what the reponses where. Now, I have heard if you tickle their mouth(not sure where) that they will regurgitate. I can not get anyone to confirm this.

BLT Press Release....

"The angler was asked to remove the contents in the stomach of the bass or the contents would be inspected by BLT officials by whatever means possible. The angler chose to remove the contents and a lead weight was removed from inside the fish and handed to a tournament official. The angler then apologized to all who witnessed the removal of the lead weight."

The kicker will be....if the story in the press release is correct. The angler was asked to remove the contents.....The angler chose to remove.....

If he removed the contents after being given the option then you can look at that as an admission of guilt....if there was no coersion. Just a thought.

We understand that the fish was "messed up". But how many other fish were in the tank? Did it have his "name" on it? How can a fish be positively identified as his fish? Now if there was only his fish in the tank and no others then that would certainly answer that question. THEN we have to find out how a fish "ate" a 1 lb weight since "HE" obviously (sarcastically written) didn't know how the weight got into the fish.

How many 10 pound fish were in the tank?

The only other fish at the time was the the 4# er I weighed in and one or two smaller ones, the other big fish (Tim's)was already put back. Once BLT figured out something was up they acted that was when Mike and I headed back out for the last hour.

His was the only one laying on the bottom with a weight sticking out of its guts.


Seriously how big is a 16 oz weight? That thing has to be 6" long.

How many other fish weighed 10#'s in the tank?

0

the only other fish Saturday that was over 5# was Mike's 7.48 in the last hour and RR was gone by then.

Again just playing the scenario:
The TD asks you to remove the weight. Doesn't mean it's your fish. You were just asked to remove A weight from A fish. He could also mean he was sorry for people having to witness "such a gruesome act against a fish". As long as he didn't admit doing it then the "legal beagles" will muddy the water and get EVERYBODY involved muddy for "poor" evidence and legal protocol. Even though THEY did what they thought was best and correct!!!

We are starting to get some really stupid comments. Please clean it up so we don't have to lock it up.

If it was a watermelon/red flake 1 lb sinker than I can completely understand.

And by the way, OT people who never visit the bass fishing section, take your OT antics back to the OT. Next one of you up here with a wise crack is on vacation.