Hey everyone,

I know it's been a long time since you've heard from me, but there really
hasn't been much Canseco news out there. Here are a few articles from the
past couple of weeks regarding the Canseco brothers court
appearances. Apparently, the brothers turned down a plea agreement that
would have given them 5 years of probation, and will now stand trial. In
Jose's words, "I would rather spend 31 years in prison than to lie and
compromise myself."

That's a pretty bold statement. Personally, I'm thinking after a few days
in the slammer, I'd be willing to lie and compromise myself, but maybe
that's just me.

Anyway, all the details are below. As always, if and when I hear anything
else, I will let you know...

-Mark

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From the AP:
8/12/02:
Cansecos consider deal to avoid trial

MIAMI -- Former American League MVP Jose Canseco and his twin brother
considered a plea deal Monday to avoid trial over a Halloween scuffle at a
local nightclub.

Ed Griffith, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's office,
said Monday the deal would require the brothers to plead guilty, but the
charges would not go on their criminal records.

Jose Canseco would receive five years' probation without a chance of early
termination, Griffith said. His brother, Ozzie, would face three years'
probation.

Both would also have to perform community service, stay away from the
victims and reimburse legal and medical bills of about $2,000, Griffith
said. They would also have to take anger control classes and undergo an
alcohol abuse evaluation, he added.

Prosecutors offered the former baseball players a plea on Friday. Defense
attorneys Angel Ruiz Jr. and Gustavo Lage said their clients needed time to
mull the proposed deal.

The brothers were scheduled to enter their plea at a 9 a.m. hearing
Tuesday. If they reject the offer, Griffith said a trial date would be set
within two weeks.

Jose Canseco faces two felony counts and one misdemeanor, and his brother
faces two misdemeanors and one felony.

The charges stem from fight at a Miami Beach nightclub where the brothers
were accompanied by three women on Halloween. Jose Canseco, who lives in
Miami, said another patron groped one of the women.

Police said Jose Canseco grabbed one man by the neck, punched him and broke
his nose. A second man needed 20 stitches in his lip. Both were California
tourists.

Jose Canseco admitted pushing the man but denied hitting him.

He was prosecuted twice for domestic violence in 1992 and 1998 and was
ordered to undergo counseling both times.

The slugger ranks 26th on the career home run list with 446. The 1988 AL
MVP was picked for six All-Star teams. He retired in May.

Ozzie Canseco had a brief major league career and played for two seasons
with the minor league Newark (N.J.) Bears. He is a Miami Beach resident.

==========
From the AP:
Canseco's lawyer warned by judge
8/13/02

MIAMI -- Former American League MVP Jose Canseco skipped a court hearing
Tuesday where he and his twin brother were supposed to enter pleas on
charges stemming from a nightclub scuffle on Halloween.

Circuit Judge Leonard E. Glick angrily told Canseco's attorney that his
client faces arrest if he does not attend the next hearing, which he set
for Aug. 23.

Attorney Angel Ruiz said doctors told the former slugger he could not
travel from California while he recovers from voluntary surgery he had last
week. Ruiz did not say what type of surgery Canseco had.

Ozzie Canseco arrived about 20 minutes late at Tuesday's hearing, saying
"someone had stolen my car keys.''

Glick was not satisfied with the excuse.

"Sometimes we feel like the Rodney Dangerfields of the judicial system. We
don't get no respect,'' he said. "We told these defendants that they had to
be here on time.''

The charges stem from a fight that the Canseco brothers got into with two
California tourists at a Miami Beach nightclub on Halloween.

Jose Canseco told police that one of the tourists groped a woman the
brothers were with. Police said Jose Canseco grabbed one man by the neck,
punched him and broke his nose. Jose Canseco admitted pushing the first man
but denied hitting him.

Jose Canseco said his twin pushed the other man. Police said the man needed
20 stitches in his lip.

Jose Canseco faces two felony counts of aggravated battery with bodily harm
and one misdemeanor battery count. Ozzie Canseco was charged with one
felony count of aggravated battery and two misdemeanors.

Prosecutors offered the brothers a plea deal last week. Under the offer,
they had to plead guilty to the original charges, but the charges would not
go on their criminal records.

Among the terms of the plea deal, Jose Canseco would receive five years'
probation without a chance of early termination. Ozzie Canseco would face
three years' probation.

Glick said Tuesday that if the brothers did not attend the Aug. 23 hearing,
prosecutors would withdraw the plea offer and arrest warrants would be
issued for both brothers. A trial date would then be set for the following
week, he added.

Ruiz and Ozzie Canseco's attorney, Gustavo Lage, said their clients were
seriously considering the plea offer.

Ozzie Canseco declined comment as he left the hearing.

Jose Canseco was prosecuted twice for domestic violence in 1992 and 1998
and was ordered to undergo counseling both times.

The slugger ranks 26th on the career home run list with 446. The 1988 AL
MVP was picked for six All-Star teams. He retired in May.

Ozzie Canseco had a brief major league career and played for two seasons
with the minor league Newark (N.J.) Bears. He lives in suburban Fort
Lauderdale.

==========
From the AP:
8/23/02
Canseco brothers turn down probation offer

MIAMI -- Jose Canseco and his twin brother turned down a plea agreement
Friday and will stand trial on felony charges related to a bar fight last year.

The former AL MVP and his brother Ozzie each are accused of aggravated
battery for fighting with two California men at a Miami Beach nightclub on
Oct. 31.

Jose Canseco reacted defiantly when told in court Friday that he could
spend up to 31 years in prison if convicted and given the maximum sentence.

"I would rather spend 31 years in prison than to lie and compromise
myself,'' he told Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Leonard E. Glick. The
judge scheduled the trial for Nov. 4.

Under the plea agreement offered by prosecutors, Canseco would have
received five years' probation, and his brother three years. They told the
judge they had passed lie-detector tests proving their innocence.

"This is the worst nightmare a celebrity athlete can go through,'' Canseco
told reporters outside the courtroom.

Jose Canseco told police at the scene that one of the California men groped
a woman the brothers were with. Police said Jose Canseco grabbed one man by
the neck, punched him and broke his nose. Jose Canseco admitted pushing the
first man but denied hitting him.

Jose Canseco said his brother pushed the other man. Police said the man
needed 20 stitches in his lip.

Jose Canseco was the 1988 AL MVP with Oakland. He was a six-time All-Star
and ranks 26th on the all-time career home run list with 446. He retired in
May.

Canseco was prosecuted twice for domestic violence-related charges, in 1992
and 1998. He was ordered to get counseling both times.

Ozzie Canseco played in 24 major-league games over three years during the
early 1990s, with Oakland and St. Louis. He faces slightly lesser charges
than his brother and could be sentenced to a maximum of 17 years if convicted.