Sunday, December 8, 2013

The Pitiful Story Of Tony Farmer

thePITIFUL STORY of TONY FARMER

How a High School basketball phenom went from potential All-American -to- a viral "BRUH" meme when he collapsed in court after being sentenced to 3-years in prison for pleading guilty to assault, robbery and kidnapping of his ex-girlfriend.


In August of 2012, one of the nation's top high school basketball recruits — Tony Farmer; a naturally-skilled and physically-gifted 6’7" wing player (who had offers from elite collegiate programs like Michigan, West Virginia, Illinois and other top-level "Division I" NCAA schools) literally collapsed in front of the courtroom camera after the judge read his sentencing.



His lifeless bodily collapse, is in stark contrast to the Caught On Tape building surveillance video of Farmer viciously assaulting and beating his ex-girlfriend — Andrea Lane.

Although she was physically victimized -astonishingly enough, she actually begged the judicial system to give him another chance, in hopes of lessening the initial charges. It's a head-shaking recurrence and typical life-cycle of countless victims of abuse.




The disturbing surveillance video shows him dragging her by the hair and violently striking her several times at Bedford Heights apartment complex's lobby in Cleveland, Ohio.

Sadly, many of the victims of domestic violence do see their abuser as a meal-ticket to greater pastures and that is one of the sole reasons why perpetrators are never prosecuted to the fullest-extent of the law. 



Judge Pamela Barker said of the video, 
"Lane is literally cowering in a corner and she is trying to push him away from her. And ultimately, then, he, hits her in the head several times as she is cowered in that corner. That’s what the court witnessed on those videotapes, and that does not incorporate, as far as I understand, is all that took place because this was within the confines of the apartment complex. I don't know what type of help he needs. I don't know what was wrong with him that day. I know he was a good person. I hope he still is. I hope he learns from this,""


Despite the horrific abuse she endured, Lane inexplicably told the court that Farmer does not belong in prison — it's an all too familiar pattern of the victim who is too caught-up in the cycle of abuse and manipulation — unable to break-free from the chains of the abuser.

His coach, Sonny Johnson was there to support him as well, 
"I'm here to say with my heart, that this young man, if you give him an opportunity, in five years from now, he's gonna make you proud. I know it. I know him." Perhaps these words of support from the victim and coach would translate to fortunes and dollar signs if Farmer ever gets a chance to live out his hoop dreams?




Tony Farmer was a highly-touted stand-out at Garfield Heights; who many considered a superstar-in-the-making and was one of the country's Top 100 high school basketball recruits — major colleges nationwide came knocking on his door when he was in the 10th grade.

Regardless of his status, Farmer fainted and fell to the courtroom floor when a Cuyahoga County judge sentenced him to several years in prison for the brutal assault.



In addition to the prison sentence, Farmer also got probation. Incredibly, Judge Barker said he can apply for early release after serving 180 days.

It's totally befuddling to one's mind — how a 6' 7" athlete who used his physical attributes to drag and pummel a 5' 4" woman can also fall to the ground and plea for mercy like a lifeless little rag doll? Perhaps even more befuddling, is that the victim would even have the audacity to stand by and support this coward?!




Unfortunately, it's stories like this that makes you scratch your head (in total amazement) and shake your head (in total disbelief). Perhaps he thought he was above the law — and similar to many of his counterparts, many star athletes of today often feel as if they are actually above the law and should be exempted from any negative consequences.


Accountability — it's a popular term that seems to be stressed more frequently than not during these modern times. In fact, it should be an imperative term that he should abide-by if he hopes to one day rebound from this domestic violence case.



Star players who break the law are often exempted from any negative consequences — they are usually given a free pass w/ people looking the other way — but those players (in particular; because they are role models in the limelight) should be held accountable for failings.

Some say urban love seemingly involves physical and mental abuse; an extreme form of tough love but his actions — superstar recruit or not, can not and should not be condoned.

Please think twice before you strike a woman (or any person for that matter) or else get set to suffer the consequences. — KONG | theKONGBLOG

27 comments:

  1. Is there an update to this story?

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    1. Hi @walkoff2 I personally requested -on your behalf, an update on this 1 & 1/2 yr old story but unfortunately, this is may be the most current info but a staff member did mention him Twitter-ing the address to his corrections facility asking his family, friends & fans — supporters, to send him letters & pics. Keep ya' posted, thanks!

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  2. I read he could be in more trouble after a teen's mom complained that sexually explicit letters written by Farmer in his jail cell were being delivered to her daughter by the convict's former basketball coach. The mom has alleged Farmer earlier had sexual activity with the girl, who's a minor.

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  3. I remember this story. This was a tragic miscarriage of justice! No priors, no other arrests, no warrants and he gets 3 years. Absolutely horrific sentencing, no opportunity for counseling. It is as disturbing to read this today as it was to read about this 2 years ago.

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  4. That's what he gets just case he's a allstar doesn't mean he can lay hands on a girl ,let's how much of a bad ass he is in prison.

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  5. Even if he doesnt get a scholarship he is a top 100 recruit and I am sure he can still make money in a league europe or even china not all is lose if he is a half decent agent who can see beyond US borders

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    1. Yeah...? How's he gonna do that? He won't get a passport. Look at Chris Brown. He can't get out if the country. I saw the video. Looks good on him. If that was my daughter, he'd be a paraplegic.

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  6. Mr. or Ms. Kong: Can you really write "like a lifeless little b*tch" and not see yourself as inhabiting the same sexist world that Mr. Farmer lives in?

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    1. Thank you for commenting but the phrase "like a lifeless little b*tch" was written without any context to a person's sex or gender...the b-word was -however, meant to be a derogatory adjective — Mr. Kong

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    2. So by that same logic, Mr. Kong, may I make the statement that your mother sucks cock like a street bitch? Just curious.

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    3. You are seriously going to sit here and call and 18 year old kid a "lifeless little b?" He was terribly wrong, he committed a horrific crime. You don't know him. You don't know the household he was raised in. You don't know what make him tick that day. YOU KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, yet you sit back and call a KID a "lifeless little b" for collapsing when he hears he will spend time in prison and ultimately throw away his future. Mr. Kong, I view ignorant adults like you almost as poorly as I view a teenager beating a woman. How about instead of sitting behind a computer whining about this kid, calling him names and acting like a 15 year old kid in a high school cafeteria (who is texting insults instead of saying them to peoples' face) you do something. Go do something for youth. Go encounter these stories face on and do something about it, instead of sitting behind a computer screen like a coward little b?

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    4. I would take this pugnacious response far more seriously if you actually knew what the word "ignorant" meant.

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    5. As a writer, I strive to use the best adjectives — synonyms, phrases, expressions -and even photos, and so, after reading/watching/researching this story...I actually thought what would that phrase 'lifeless little b –' look/appear like if I were to open a 'picure-dictionary' and there the photo was...Tony Farmer...honestly, I don't care what his background is, good or bad -it won't and wouldn't have affected my choice of words...apologies for the offense — most certainly not my intent

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  7. There is an update. He was raping another 17 year old girl who came forward. The coach was also involved, knew about the rape, yet did nothing about it. Not only did he do nothing about it, he lied to the judge saying Tony had a bad day. Tony is an evil man and should be banned from NBA or even making money. Who knows how many other innocent young girls this tony and coach have brutalized mentally, emotionally, verbally, physically, and sexually. The worst part about this "justice" system is that the coach is wild and free to do as he pleases, even though he is clearly a disgusting human being.

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    1. What is the teenager name that Tony raped.This need to be investigated ASAP.Be more specific on the information among the letters he sented form the prison.

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    2. He didn't rape her, I'm sure the mother of the girl would've wanted to press charges, he was having a relationship with a younger girl at school, but nowhere did it say he raped her.

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    3. It was statutory rape which is vastly different from rape.

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  8. 3 years is nothing. He will come out and abuse even more now. He hasn't even changed. He is writing letters to the girl he raped. People like this should not be allowed to play in the NBA or make huge sums of money with which they will abuse other people.

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  9. White men rape children and get less time go figure.

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  10. Three years is a lot especially when you're 18. And FYI he's going to prison which would probably make him worse. At the age of 18 you can definitely be rehabilitated however this sentence doesn't do that he will come out having major anger displacement issues

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  11. Okay , it's been 3 years already .. He was sent in 2012 .. It's 2014 , and 2015 is right around the corner .. When does he get out ? God still loves him .

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  12. To anonymous: Just saw a clip of a 17 yr old white boy got 25 to life for hitting hit girlfriends toddler while babysitting, and the child died. Yes Tony didn't murder someone, yet. A man who is capable of what I saw on the camera, will definitely continue to hurt women and eventually likely kill someone, no matter the skin color.
    I agree, the sentencing disparity between blacks and whites is unjust, however, I believe it's starting to be more balanced in some areas of the country.
    People are wising up and taking videos and/or audio all the time for their protection. I bet he's already out, unless he can't follow the rules in prison. There are rules and laws for a reason. Some people just don't know how or weren't disciplined in youth to follow the rules and not beat people or pull them by the hair, kidnap and stalk. I knew by the age of 5 that you don't hit people and the n word is worse than any curse word.
    I do think they maybe need an intermediary between jail and prison, for young offenders, except for murder and rape. He is young and obviously needs help and I agree, once you're in the system, it's designed to keep you there.

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  13. Old news, but doesn't sound like he's getting an early release:

    http://fox8.com/2013/05/13/i-team-mom-accuses-coach-of-inappropriate-conduct/

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  14. I think what really pissed the judge off was the threatening texts he sent to his ex girl friend in violation of the protection order. Zero remorse means zero sympathy for him.

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