Domestic violence group wants Mayweather to remain locked up
By Molly Waldron
CREATED Jun. 12, 2012
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Just days into his three-month jail sentence, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he wants out, and is asking a judge to grant his request. A local domestic violence group says letting Mayweather out would send the wrong message.
In the emergency motion, Mayweather is asking to serve the remainder of his sentence on house arrest.
Critics say his ritzy mansion in Southern Highlands is a far cry from his current jail cell. Safe Nest, a local domestic violence advocacy group, spoke out on Tuesday.
"That's not a punishment. To be able to sit and be very comfortable in your bed, eating whatever takeout you want," said Lisa Lynn Chapman with Safe Nest.
But Mayweather's attorneys argue that if he stays in solitary confinement behind bars, it "may cause not just huge financial harm to Mayweather, but also huge emotional harm if he is no longer able to pursue his boxing career because of the de-conditioning he has suffered."
The emergency motion includes an affidavit from Mayweather's personal physician, who claims the boxer is unable to train and eat properly in jail.
The physician wrote "I am concerned about Floyd withdrawing, developing anger he cannot dissipate through usual means of dedicated exercise and training."
Mayweather is also quoted in the motion, saying he believes he is being treated "in a very unfair, inhumane way."
His attorneys claim Mr. Mayweather is convicted of misdemeanor offenses, but is being held in an area where felon defendants are in lockdown, because the jail can't accomodate his celebrity status.
Mayweather pleaded guilty in December to domestic battery and harassment for assaulting the mother of his three children and threatening his two sons.
"If his sentence is made easier, what it really does is send this message that domestic violence isn't that important here in Southern Nevada and that we're not going to take it seriously."
Calls to Mayweather's attorneys were not returned. They say they would be willing to work with the judge to find an "appropriate location" for the boxer to serve house arrest.
Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa has said that she will make a ruling on the emergency motion on Thursday.
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