Merriman Won't Face Charges For Reported Domestic Incident
San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman won't face charges for an alleged domestic incident last weekend, the district attorney's office announced.
The district attorney's office called the case closed.
"After a thorough review of the investigation into the September 6, 2009 incident at the Poway home of Shawne Merriman, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed," Bonnie M. Dumanis, the San Diego County district attorney, said in a written statement.
"This case is now closed. No further comment will be made."
Merriman had been accused of choking Tila Nguyen, a model and reality television show hostess known as Tila Tequila who has been described in some reports as Merriman's girlfriend, and of physically restraining her from leaving his home. She reportedly signed a citizen's arrest complaint charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment.
Merriman denied the allegations.
-- VIKINGS: A federal appeals court ruled Friday that Minnesota defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams can play this season without the NFL imposing four-game suspensions on them for testing positive last year for a banned diuretic.
The two players have challenged the suspensions and the case has played out in state and federal courts.
Friday's ruling by the appeals court upheld a previous decision by a federal judge that sent two issues involving state workplace laws back to a state court. The state court has indicated it is unlikely to hold a trial until after the season is completed.
The NFL responded to the ruling by issuing a written statement that read: "The real losers today are the players on 31 other clubs, who no longer live under the same rules as players on the Minnesota Vikings -- a result of the NFL Players Association's failure to stand behind the program it negotiated with the league, and for which it has properly claimed credit with fans and before Congress. The most respected program in sports has been put in jeopardy by the NFL union's silence and today's ruling."
-- RAIDERS: According to several reports, Oakland has prepared a letter to defensive lineman Richard Seymour indicating he has five days to report to the team or risk being suspended.
Seymour has not reported to the Raiders since they obtained him in a trade last weekend with the New England Patriots.
-- GIANTS: New York declared cornerback Aaron Ross out of Sunday's season-opening game against the Redskins. He is sidelined by a hamstring injury.
-- EAGLES: Right tackle Shawn Andrews will miss Philadelphia's season opener Sunday at Carolina, the team announced.
Andrews has been plagued by back problems that continued this week, according to Coach Andy Reid.
-- BENGALS: Cincinnati averted a local television blackout of its season-opening game Sunday at home against the Denver Broncos after being granted a 24-hour ticket-selling extension by the NFL.
-- Mark Maske
Source: Washington Post
