Prosecutors Want Tougher Sentence for Shortt

07-13-06

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A public defender says a former West Columbia doctor should not be sent to prison for conspiring to illegally prescribe steroids to NFL players.

Federal public defender Allen Burnside filed papers earlier this week asking a judge to reject a request by prosecutors to give Doctor James Shortt a sentence longer than the maximum recommended for the crime.

Federal guidelines recommend six months in prison for the plea Shortt entered earlier.

The 59-year-old Shortt is to be sentenced Monday in Columbia. The U.S. Probation Office recommended a sentence of six months or
less.

Prosecutor Winston Holliday says probation would be "inadequate" for the crime. The maximum for the charge is up to five years in prison and a
$250,000 dollar fine.