According to ESPN, that’s what is happening. They plead not guilty and we’re released on $2500 bond. Seems kinda low on the bond to me.

I guess being caught red handed didn’t mean squat.

Can't wait to hear this defense...............

I guess all they gotta say is “prove we put weight in the fish”. Nobody saw them, there is likely no beyond a shadow of a doubt evidence that it was them.

you can't prove the put the weights in the fish but once they weighed those fish in then they claim those fish as their own. I wish I could on the Jury that day.

So if you kill a deer and take it to a processor and it has .22 lead in it from someone trying to kill it in the past then you should be held accountable for that?

If you took 5 of them, and they all had the same secret waiting inside of them, it would be beyond suspicious.

They had lead in all of their fish. It was not a weird, once in a lifetime thing. Their only defense would have to be the burden of providing proof would have to be in the prosecutor’s hands.

I actually give em about a 1 in 5 chance of getting the charges dropped.

They are some ballsy m-fers

They also found pristine, unchewed, undigested fillets in the walleye stomachs (not the intestines). The fillet defense will be more challenging.

Also, difficult to explain catching walleye with three pounds of lead in their stomachs on moving baits. If each walleye had three pounds of lead in their upper GI tracts, they would stay on the bottom and not in the mood to chase a lure.

I'm in no way condoning what they did but I will be shocked if they get much more than a slap on the wrist. They'll plea down and pay some fines with probation. I'll be a little surprised if they lose their fishing privileges.

The general population DGAF about fishing tournaments

The burden is on the court to prove they put the weights there. While i totally think your right, and they are guilty, im sure the lawyer says they have a chance there can be a doubt placed on how the weights got there. Thats the problem with lawyers though, they try to get the guilty off free as well. Like others mentioned, the general population wont have a clue what is being talked about other than what they saw on the news or facebook. I bet they dont get much, probation mostly, maybe a fine or community service. I would be suprised at any jail time

The burden of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt” not “beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Is it reasonable to believe that these guys caught multiple fish loaded with lead weights? That would be a had sell for the defense.

This.. They are looking for a decent plea and it will never go to court.

Come on guys...don't any of you watch the court shows. Many criminals that are guilty as all get out please Not Guilty. This way it has to be proven without a doubt they did this. It also allows them to get plea deals when the prosecutors are just wanting to close this off.

This is going to end as a slap on the wrist, some fines, banning from tournaments, and suspended fishing licenses.