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Denzel, Others Go to Bat for Snipes

Posted Apr 23, 08 9:35 PM CDT in Crime & Courts,  Gossip 

(Newser) – Wesley Snipes is not merely an actor trying to get out of a jail sentence on tax charges. He is a "mighty oak," says Denzel Washington. "True citizen of the world," says Woody Harrelson. "Goodness in his heart," says Judge Joe Brown. Snipes is hoping such character references will persuade a judge to go easy on him at tomorrow's sentencing, the Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner reports.

Snipes faces up to 3 years in jail and a $5 million fine for not filing taxes. In a bid to get probation instead, Snipes lined up some celebrity big guns to vouch for his character. "I strongly believe that jail time would not benefit Wesley," said another TV judge, Greg Mathis.

Source Ocala Star-Banner

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Actor Wesley Snipes signs autographs outside the Golden-Collum Memorial Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Joe Kaleita)
Wesley Snipes smiles as he leaves the U.S. federal courthouse in Ocala, Fla. Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
Wesley Snipes smiles as he leaves the U.S. federal courthouse in Ocala, Fla. Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
Woody Harrelson doesn't want his buddy Wesley Snipes to serve jail time.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Actor Denzel Washington compares his friend Wesley Snipes to a "mighty oak."   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
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taxes  • celebrity trials  • Denzel Washington  • Internal Revenue Service  • Wesley Snipes


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