Murphy acknowledged that Lee had no priorcriminal record.

Still, he noted, "he has not wanted foreconomic opportunities, he certainly has notwanted for educational opportunities."

Murphy asked the judge for a prison sentence of4-5 years, with two years to be served, as well asprobation.

Lawson then rose to defend Lee.

Appealing for a more leniency, Lawsonemphasized his client's potential and previouslyuntarnished record.

"Here is a young man who has lived in largepart an exemplary life, almost perfect, almostspotless," Lawson said. "There was a period oftime when a naive and impressionable man withoutsupervision, did something that was very, verywrong, and he is ashamed."

Lawson added that his client is remorseful.

"[His] behavior was a crime and it wasinexcusable," Lawson said. "And I say to the courtthat Charles Lee knows it."

Lawson said that Lee would be "happy" to repaythe Jimmy Fund in full, despite the fact thatrestitution would take many years.

Although his client was expecting to serve aprison sentence, Lawson asked that the court notsend him to a maximum-security prison where hemight become a hardened criminal.

"I would hope, your honor, that he not bedestroyed by the price he must pay," Lawson said.

Lawson asked for one year to serve, with "fulland complete" restitution and a period ofcommunity service to supplement the probationimposed by the court. He also asked the court tosend Lee to the Middleton House of Corrections, aminimum security prison.

Quinlan agreed to Lawson's request andrecommended that Lee be sent to Middleton.

In addition to the prison term, probation andrestitution, Quinlan also ruled that Lee perform100 hours of community service each year that heis on probation. That service should be spenteducating youths in the inner-city, Quinlan ruled.

Lee was escorted away by two large bailiffs. Hewas not handcuffed.