Britt Reid paroled into treatment program
The son of the Eagles coach was serving time for brandishing a gun in January of last year.
Britt Reid is getting out of jail, but he is headed to Montgomery County's drug treatment court.
The 22-year-old son of Eagles coach Andy Reid has been serving an eight- to 23-month jail sentence resulting from a January 2007 road-rage confrontation in which he brandished a gun at another motorist. Yesterday, he was paroled directly into the treatment court to finish his sentence.
Reid will be released from the Montgomery County prison Monday to start the 15-month program.
Yesterday, Montgomery County Court Judge Steven T. O'Neill took issue with Britt Reid and phone conversations he had with family members and friends while in jail.
"They listened," O'Neill said of jail officials. "Those phone conversations are constantly monitored."
O'Neill said the remarks were "repulsive" and involved comments made about the prosecutor in the case, Senior Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo.
Asked about the comments, Costanzo said no threats were made. "They were just typical discussions a 22-year-old would have in various stages of emotions," Costanzo said.
Britt Reid will face drug testing at least four times a week, will be required to attend counseling and 12-step meetings, and will have to hold a job.
Should he relapse and be rearrested on any charges, he would have to finish the rest of his sentence and would not be given credit for "good time," O'Neill said.
"We work with honesty here," O'Neill said. "Keep it honest, and you won't run into problems."
O'Neill said statements made by Andy Reid to his son consistently gave "loving advice" that was pointed at positive changes.
O'Neill also seemed to clarify remarks he made at a previous hearing, saying the Reid sons were accountable for the "drug emporium" they created in the family home.
"Make no mistake, it lies clearly on your shoulders," O'Neill said.
Garrett Reid, 24, was sentenced in November on drug and traffic charges stemming from an unrelated accident. He is in the county prison, and is facing charges he smuggled drugs into it.
Yesterday, Britt Reid also was sentenced in a case of driving under the influence of a controlled substance - a charge made in August while he was out on bail in the road-rage case. On Jan. 18, he pleaded guilty in that case.
He received a sentence of one to 23 months, a $1,000 fine and a one-year probation, and was ordered to pay court costs and attend a safe-driving school. He was given credit for the time he has served.
In August, witnesses at a Plymouth Township sporting-goods store said Britt Reid looked to be confused and was unable to find his truck. When he did find it, he drove it into a shopping cart.
"I am a young man that has made some bad choices," Britt Reid said when O'Neill asked who he was. His voice was barely audible.