Cedric Benson says he was attacked

In the wake of Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson's arrest today on a misdemeanor assault with injury charge in Austin, Tex., his lawyer, David Cornwell, has released a statement regarding the situation.

In summary, Benson's version of events states that he was punched by a man who took exception to the NFL player posing for photographs with a group of women.

According to Cornwell, Benson protected himself while leaving the club and contacted police following the May 30 incident.

Police have alleged that Benson punched a bar employee in the face. He is free on $5,000 bail and facing a maximum penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Here's the entire statement that Cornwell provided to National Football Post:

Late last month at a nightclub, Cedric Benson was asked to take pictures with some female fans. A man approached Cedric and objected to him posing for pictures with the women. Cedric explained that he had been asked to pose with the women and the man punched Cedric. An altercation followed and while Cedric was leaving the club, he was approached by another man aggressively. Believing this man was a friend of the man who had punched him; Cedric attempted to protect himself and continued out of the club. Immediately upon leaving the club, Cedric called the police. He was interviewed by the police and left the area.

Two weeks ago while he was in Cincinnati, Cedric was contacted by a detective investigating the incident in Texas. Apparently, the second man who approached Cedric is an employee of the night club and claimed that Cedric punched him.

Cedric agreed to be interviewed upon his return to Texas and provided his return date. Cedric was not contacted by the detective upon his return. This morning Cedric received a telephone call advising him that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. Cedric voluntarily made himself available, was taken into custody, and was released earlier today after posting bond.

Upon his release, Cedric contacted Coach Marvin Lewis and the Commissioner’s office to notify the Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL of these events. Though we adamantly dispute that Cedric committed a crime, Cedric will continue to cooperate with law enforcement, the Bengals and the NFL in their investigation of these events.
Wm. David Cornwell, Sr.

Meanwhile, Bengals team spokesman P.J. Combs said the team knows about the incident.

However, no comment was made at this time beyond him saying that it was "inappropriate for us to comment until the matter is resolved through legal channels.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league is looking into the matter.

Ready for fantasy football? Click below to purchase the 2010 Total Access Pass/Draft Guide from the NFP
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/front-office-presale.html

Follow me on Twitter: RavensInsider
 

Comments

Add a Comment