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Six-month jail sentence for Jones Six-month jail sentence for Jones
(about 1 hour later)
American Olympian Marion Jones has been sentenced to six months in prison for lying about steroid use and involvement in a drugs fraud case.American Olympian Marion Jones has been sentenced to six months in prison for lying about steroid use and involvement in a drugs fraud case.
The former sprinter pleaded guilty last October and was sentenced on Friday.The former sprinter pleaded guilty last October and was sentenced on Friday.
Jones had asked US District Judge Kenneth Karas to be "as merciful as a human being can be".Jones had asked US District Judge Kenneth Karas to be "as merciful as a human being can be".
But the judge imposed the maximum under her plea deal "because of the need for general deterrence and the need to promote respect for the law".But the judge imposed the maximum under her plea deal "because of the need for general deterrence and the need to promote respect for the law".
Lawyers for the defence had asked Judge Karas to limit sentencing the former sprinter to probation or house arrest. "Nobody is above the legal obligation to tell the truth," Judge Karas said during the sentencing.
"I recognise this is not a happy day for you or for your family."
Lawyers for the defence had asked the judge to give the former sprinter probation or house arrest.
Having already apologised, retired and given up her five Olympic medals, Jones has been punished enough, they argued.Having already apologised, retired and given up her five Olympic medals, Jones has been punished enough, they argued.
Jones herself asked the judge to consider her commitment to her family, including an infant son she is still nursing. 'Deeply sorry'
A tearful Jones asked the judge to consider her commitment to her two children, including an infant son she is still nursing.
"Your honour, I absolutely realise the gravity of these offences and I am deeply sorry," she said.
Lawyers for the prosecution had suggested any sentence between probation and six months would be fair.Lawyers for the prosecution had suggested any sentence between probation and six months would be fair.
Judge Karas had sought advice as to whether he could go beyond the six-month maximum sentence suggested in the plea deal. The offences here are serious. They each involve lies made three years apart Judge Kenneth Karas class="" href="/sport1/hi/athletics/7184067.stm">Fall from grace
Fall from glory
Once arguably the most famous female athlete in the world, Jones won gold in the 100m 200m and 4x400m relay as well as bronzes in the long jump and 4x100m relay, at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.Once arguably the most famous female athlete in the world, Jones won gold in the 100m 200m and 4x400m relay as well as bronzes in the long jump and 4x100m relay, at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
I have been dishonest, and you have the right to be angry with me Marion Jones
While her charisma and big smile won her a global fan base, her success on the track coupled with photogenic looks won her lucrative endorsements.While her charisma and big smile won her a global fan base, her success on the track coupled with photogenic looks won her lucrative endorsements.
But she suffered a spectacular fall from glory last October, admitting lying to a federal investigator in November 2003 when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs.But she suffered a spectacular fall from glory last October, admitting lying to a federal investigator in November 2003 when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs.
She admitted using a steroid between September 2000 and July 2001.She admitted using a steroid between September 2000 and July 2001.
Tearful apologyTearful apology
Jones, now 32, also pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators in 2003 about a separate cheque fraud case involving her former boyfriend, sprinter Tim Montgomery, the father of her son, Monty.Jones, now 32, also pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators in 2003 about a separate cheque fraud case involving her former boyfriend, sprinter Tim Montgomery, the father of her son, Monty.
Montgomery and several others have been convicted in that scam.Montgomery and several others have been convicted in that scam.
Released in October pending sentencing, Jones made a tearful public apology for her actions outside court. Judge Karas had sought advice as to whether he could go beyond the six-month maximum sentence suggested in the plea deal.
"I have been dishonest, and you have the right to be angry with me. I have let [my family] down. I have let my country down, and I have let myself down," she said. "The offences here are serious. They each involve lies made three years apart," he said on Friday, adding that Jones had made "not a one-off mistake... but a repetition in an attempt to break the law".
He said he did not believe a statement by Jones in October when she said she did not realise she was taking steroids until after the 2000 Olympic Games.
"That is very difficult to believe, that a top-notch athlete... would not be keenly aware of what he or she put in her body," the judge said.
Jones, who returned her medals even before the International Olympic Committee ordered her to do so, has since had her name expunged from the record books.Jones, who returned her medals even before the International Olympic Committee ordered her to do so, has since had her name expunged from the record books.
Hers was one of a number of high-profile doping cases involving top American athletes that have prompted the US Olympic Committee to team up with Major League Baseball and the National Football League with a new initiative aimed at combating drug use in US sport.Hers was one of a number of high-profile doping cases involving top American athletes that have prompted the US Olympic Committee to team up with Major League Baseball and the National Football League with a new initiative aimed at combating drug use in US sport.