http://bit.ly/qq7F6O









Updated Sep one, 2011 four:10 PM ET
DETROIT (AP)
Previous NBA star Magic Johnson is asking a Michigan judge for ''mercy'' and no prison for former higher education teammate Jay Vincent.

Vincent will be sentenced Friday for fraud. He and Johnson grew up in Lansing and had been stars on the 1979 Michigan State national championship staff.
In a letter to a federal judge in Grand Rapids, Johnson says Vincent is a ''really very good guy'' with a ''tremendous heart.'' Johnson believes Vincent obtained involved with the mistaken individuals and ''made some truly poor decisions.''
Like Johnson, the 52-yr-aged Vincent also played in the NBA. He pleaded guilty in a fraud circumstance involving thousands of individuals who compensated to turn out to be licensed residence inspectors. Prosecutors are recommending 9 years in prison. Vincent has been in jail given that late July for a bond violation.