Two years ago Mike Tyson offered $5 million to a church group whose leader is seeking a suspended sentence for the convicted rapist.
The Rev. T.J. Jemison, president of the National Baptist Convention, said in January 1990 that Tyson offered the money to help the convention pay for its new headquarters in Nashville, Tenn.Tyson was convicted Feb. 10 of rape in an assault last July of Miss Black America contestant Desiree Washington.
A March 27 sentencing date has been set by Marion Superior Court Judge Patricia J. Gifford. Tyson could receive sentences ranging from six to 20 years each for the rape conviction and for two convictions on counts of criminal deviate conduct. The sentences could be suspended.
The Rev. Melvin B. Girton of Indianapolis, pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis which sponsored a rally to show support for Tyson during his trial, says Jemison heads a group calling itself the National Committee for Mercy for Mike Tyson, which is circulating petitions to be presented to Gifford. Girton said 10,000 people have signed the petitions and he hoped to have 100,000 signatures to present to the judge.