This is the second part of the Amarillo Slim "breaks his silence" interview, talking about his court case and his side of the story. This is found over at pokerlistings.com or for the interview go here http://www.pokerlistings.com/legend-lost-slim-breaks-his-silence-pt-2-38484 .
1 comment:
Re: Amarillo Slim Breaks His Silence
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I played poker with Amarillo Slim off an on since 1961. I attended the World Series of Poker most years after 1975. As a writer, and press person, I always, always pointed out Amarillo Slim to anyone with a press badge. I told them truthfully that he was the best interveiw there, or anywhere. I did not tell them he would rather climb a Georgia Pine and lie, than stand on the ground and tell the truth, when the truth was more interesting. I wrote an article about gambler's nicknames. In the lead, I said that, "Amarillo Slim is the best known gambler in the world."
Everyone always gossiped about Slim. We heard of his road tricks and tall tales. However, WE DID NOT ever hear he was any kind of sexual weirdo. Sailor Roberts and Doyle Brunson slept in the same room with Slim as they white-lined it crossroading. Doyle says he is innocent and I go with that. His family is back with him. That says they believe his innocence. What Slim will not say is that his Granddaughter lied. But it is there between the lines.
It would have been absolutely CRAZY to go before a Texas jury on any sex charge. Innocence and guilt are weighed in a plea bargain against freedom or the certainty of the Texas pen.
We had a case in Tulia, near Amarillo, where one rogue, lying undercover narc had most of the black people in town arrested for cocaine. A book was written, TV specials were done. The Governor pardoned many. Many of these innocent people were in the penitentary over plea bargains. Five years of your life over the possibility of eighty years was the choice. Sure they were framed. They had to plead guilty. This is Texas. Slim had to plead to the lessor charge once charges were brought against him. THERE WAS NO OTHER CHOICE. These folks that keep saying why would he plead guilty if he was innocent. The answer is, TO AOID A LONG PRISON SENTENCE. This happens everyday in the Lone Star State.
Nolan Dalla is Mr. Integrity in the poker writing world. This interview persuades me Slim was innocent. Here in West Texas, gamblers don't get a fair shake at the courthouse on other charges. I have to take off my shoes to count all the professional gamblers who went to the Texas penitentary that were wrongly convicted.
JohnnyHughes.com
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