Former New England Patriots linebacker and suspended NFL Network analyst Willie McGinest has been charged with two felony charges in connection with an alleged attack at a nightclub in the Los Angeles area in December. according to USA Today.
McGinest is reportedly facing charges, one count each from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, of assault with a deadly weapon and assault with force capable of causing serious bodily injury, with a hearing scheduled for April.
Under the California Penal Code, both charges carry a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison each and a possible $10,000 fine.
The alleged incident took place on December 9 at a West Hollywood nightclub. filmed on video received by TMZ. The video shows McGinest and three acquaintances approaching a man sitting in a booth and briefly exchanging words, then McGinest hits the man as he gets up and holds him as the others hit him.
Before the conflict ended, McGinest hit the man several times with a large glass bottle.
McGinest later turned himself in and was soon suspended from the NFL Network indefinitely. A few days later, he released a statement apologizing for the incident, calling the situation an “isolated incident” and promising that nothing like this would ever happen again.
McGinest, who was found not guilty in a 1990 sexual assault trial while in college at USC and was sued for assault in connection with another incident in 2016, retired from the NFL after the 2008-09 season years.
In 15 seasons, most of which were with the Patriots, he won three Super Bowl rings, two Pro Bowl honors, and a place in the Patriot Hall of Fame. He finished his career with 86 career sacks, 17 fumble rebounds, 16 forced fumbles, and 804 tackles.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
