Terry "Tank" Johnson Will Tank make the trip to the Super Bowl?

[Jacklou59]

January 23, 2007
BY STEFANO ESPOSITO Staff Reporter
One man has the power to deny Terry "Tank" Johnson what might be his life's most glorious moment.

By this morning, Cook County Judge John J. Moran is expected to tell the Chicago lineman whether he may travel to Miami to play in the Super Bowl -- and whether he'll be allowed to stick around to party afterward.

"If the judge is convinced [Johnson] will come back for the parade after they win, then he will let him go," speculated veteran Cook County criminal defense attorney, Barry A. Spector.

Johnson found himself in this gut-wrenching position after allegedly violating the terms of his probation in a gun case. Just before Christmas, Moran -- a Skokie judge -- ordered Johnson confined to his Gurnee residence 24 hours a day, but allowed him to leave for work.


WILL HE GO?
Check back here for the results of today's court hearing. We'll post the decision as soon as it's made.
Until the Bears made it to the Super Bowl, going to "work" meant traveling in-state.
Even though Moran has a reputation for being a stern, by-the-book judge, few legal experts expect him to force Johnson to watch the game on TV.

Cook County assistant state's attorney Rick Cenar, who is handling the Skokie case, declined to comment until after today's hearing.

But Gale Paradise, a spokeswoman for Cook County's Adult Probation Department, said of Johnson and his home confinement: "He has been in complete compliance with us every step of the way."

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State :: Will Tank make the trip?