Charges Dropped Against Vilma

by BayouRebel on Feb 25, 2009 10:15 AM CST

It appears the charges were dropped. This is from AP.

MIAMI (AP) — Prosecutors in Miami are dropping all charges against New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

Authorities announced their decision in court Wednesday. Vilma was arrested last month on a felony charge of resisting arrest with violence and misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors did not immediately give a reason for dropping the case.

Attorney Michael Tein (TEEN) says his client is relieved and is looking forward to focusing on football again.

Vilma will be a free agent this winter but has said he would prefer to stay in New Orleans. He played every defensive snap and led the Saints in tackles in his first season with New Orleans after spending his first four years with the New York Jets.

Now let's get him a brand new contract!

Poll

Were you worried about Vilma's case?

I knew they would drop the charges.

31 votes

A little bit.

34 votes

Doesn't matter, the Saints aren't going to re-sign him.

7 votes

I was already looking at ILB draft prospects.

3 votes

75 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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Comments

WHAT? 1 vote for Saints not re-signing him?

Wisenheimer.

It ain't no good
if there's too much wood.

by stujo4 on Feb 25, 2009 10:36 AM CST reply actions

I don't know who did that...

but they could have read that choice as meaning that the Saints won’t be able to sign him, not that the Saints won’t try to sign him.

The Detroit Lions are on the clock!

by HansDat on Feb 25, 2009 6:38 PM CST up reply actions

Even though Miami’s charges against him seemed very questionable, I wasn’t expecting them to just totally drop them. This fully exonerates Vilma and makes the Miami police force seem a little screwed up.

Who voted for “Doesn’t matter, the Saints aren’t going to re-sign him.”? All indications are they will make him the top re-signing priority.

Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

by David "Satch" Kelly on Feb 25, 2009 10:38 AM CST reply actions

"A little screwed up?"

Apparently, some cops still haven’t got the memo that “driving while black” is no longer a felony.

Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...

by MtnExile on Feb 25, 2009 10:57 AM CST up reply actions

“You in a heap o’ trouble, boy.”

It ain't no good
if there's too much wood.

by stujo4 on Feb 25, 2009 11:04 AM CST up reply actions

Right M-E

I should have said “really screwed up.” I’d really like to know exactly why the charges were dropped. Whatever the reason is (racial profiling perhaps?), it must be potentially embarrassing to the city.

Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

by David "Satch" Kelly on Feb 25, 2009 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

Vilma issues a statement

Per the official Saints website:

"I appreciate that the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office did their due diligence and decided not to file charges against me regarding the arrest that occurred on January 16, 2009 in Miami, Florida. As I have indicated in the past, I would vigorously fight any charges filed against me surrounding the incident that occurred. I believe the State Attorney’s Office did the just and right thing in this matter. I would like to thank my family and friends, the New Orleans Saints organization, and my fans for supporting and believing in me."

Link:
http://www.neworleanssaints.com/Articles/2009/2/Statement20from20Saints20LB20Jonathan%20Vilma.aspx

by BayouRebel on Feb 25, 2009 4:59 PM CST reply actions