Pierce To Testify Before Grand Jury

From ESPN.com:

New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce will cooperate with authorities and testify before a Manhattan grand jury about how teammate Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself at a nightclub last weekend, The New York Post reported Thursday.

According to the newspaper, Pierce's testimony could enable him to avoid charges of hiding Burress' Glock pistol after the shooting.

"He's going to have to testify," a law enforcement source told the Post.

Burress has been suspended by the Giants for conduct detrimental to the team and faces charges of illegal weapons possession.

Details of the case emerged Wednesday as authorities continued to investigate Pierce's involvement in the shooting.

Plaxico Burress turned himself in to police Monday after accidentally shooting himself last weekend.

Burress was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center early Saturday after accidentally shooting himself in the right thigh at a Manhattan nightclub.

Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said trainer Ronnie Barnes wanted Burress near the Hospital for Special Surgery, which is located next door to New York-Presbyterian, in case the injury to his leg required any orthopedic work by team physicians.

The team said Mark Drakos, a doctor from the Hospital for Special Surgery who has treated Giants players in the past, examined Burress after he was paged by New York Presbyterian. The team said it was a coincidence that Drakos was on call.

When Barnes arrived at the hospital, he asked to see Burress, by name, and was taken to the room where he was being treated. Barnes later learned Burress had been issued a hospital ID bracelet with an alias, and Hanlon said neither Barnes nor the Giants had any involvement with Burress being admitted under a false name.

While Barnes waited outside the room, an attending physician approached Barnes and said Burress had suffered no vascular injuries. She then returned to the treatment room. The team said Barnes did not know the doctor and was not in the room while she was treating Burress.

Dr. Josyann Abisaab has been suspended for not reporting Burress' gunshot injury, as required by law.

Abisaab, who's affiliated with the hospital and specializes in internal and emergency medicine, could not be reached for comment.

Police still want to interview the people at the hospital who treated Burress and did not report the shooting, as required by law.

Authorities have been trying to determine whether Pierce tried to cover up the shooting. Unlike Burress, Pierce has yet to be charged -- or talk to police.

Police say Pierce returned to New Jersey with Burress' gun in the glove compartment of his black Cadillac Escalade. Investigators have impounded the SUV to search it for any blood or gun residue.

Pierce is expected to play Sunday against Philadelphia, with the Giants (11-1) on the verge of clinching the NFC East and gaining a first-round playoff bye.

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