Attorney Says Charge Vs. Adrian Peterson A Lie
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The attorney for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says his client was a victim and a charge of resisting arrest is a "fabrication."
Texas attorney Rusty Hardin released a statement Monday, two days after Peterson was released from a Houston jail. The running back was arrested and charged with resisting arrest after allegedly pushing an off-duty police officer who was working security at a night club.
Hardin says the allegations are "a total fabrication" and that Peterson was "the victim, not the aggressor." Peterson has an initial court appearance on the misdemeanor scheduled for Friday.
Hardin represented Roger Clemens in his recent perjury case. Clemens was charged with lying to Congress when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs. He was retried this year and found not guilty on all counts.
Here's Hardin's statement in full:
"Adrian Peterson did not resist arrest this past Saturday morning and any suggestion that he pushed, struck or shoved a Houston Police Officer is a total fabrication. He, in fact, was struck at least twice in the face for absolutely no legitimate reason, and when all the evidence is impartially reviewed, it will clearly show Adrian was the victim, not the aggressor."
"We have been investigating what happened since Saturday afternoon, and it is absolutely clear to me that the charges should not have been filed, and the Bayou Club owes Adrian an apology for having put out a totally false version of what happened. Adrian Peterson does not act the way he has been described in the initial reports, and he did not act that way Saturday morning. He was only in that club for 30 to 40 minutes, was never objectionable to other patrons, and never physically resisted any police officer. Adrian is extremely upset about these false allegations. These charges are totally at odds with the way he has conducted himself throughout his career, and he asks that his fans and the public at large reserve judgment until they hear all the facts. Adrian looks forward to his day in court."
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