National Football League

Report: NE safety's attorney has witness

Published Mar. 21, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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The attorney for New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather told investigators Monday that his client should no longer be considered a suspect in a shooting incident that took place in February, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Meriweather's attorney, Adam Swickle, met with investigators at the Orange County Sheriff's Office to provide witness statements he claims exonerate his client of any wrongdoing.

"We have confirmed that Brandon was nothing but a peacekeeper," Swickle told the newspaper. "All of the witnesses confirmed that at no point did Brandon have a gun, or threaten to shoot, and did not shoot anyone."

Meriweather was linked to the shooting of two men — 23-year-old Nico Glendale Stanley and Meriweather's 24-year-old cousin Quentin L. Taylor — during an incident that took place in Apopka, Fla., on Feb. 28. Both men survived.

Stanley and Taylor accused the two-time Pro Bowler of pulling the trigger, according to John Morgan, who represents the two victims.

But Swickle informed the Sentinel on Monday that his investigator interviewed an unnamed witness, who said another man with a gun was threatening people prior to the shooting. Swickle told the Sentinel the gun-wielding mystery man had a lengthy criminal record.

Sheriff's spokesman Cpt. Angelo Nieves said Monday investigators were not ready to charge anyone with the shooting, including Meriweather.

"The investigation is continuing to move forward," Nieves said.

The sheriff's office confirmed March 10 that Meriweather was present during the shooting. Swickle has not denied that his client was present at the time of the shooting.

According to the Sentinel, sheriff's office records indicate deputies responding initially on Feb. 28 found no evidence of the shooting. It was an Apopka police officer working at a local hospital who alerted Orange County deputies to the incident after Stanley and Taylor admitted themselves with gunshot wounds.

Morgan told Deadspin earlier this month that Meriweather had pulled a gun during a fight and fired one shot that grazed a man in the face before hitting another in the head.

The incident, according to Morgan's initial statements, happened after a fight broke out at an Orlando-area bar and led to the alleged shooting at a nearby house.

According to The Boston Globe, Morgan later clarified his comments on Boston's WEEI radio, saying he was basing the information on what his clients told him, and he was not certain if Meriweather was actually involved in the alleged incident.