Football Merriman accused of choking MTV's Tequila

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San Diego Chargers star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested Sunday and accused of choking and restraining his girlfriend, reality TV star Tila Tequila, as she tried to leave his suburban home.

Tequila, 27, signed a citizen's arrest warrant, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment, San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman said.

Deputies responded about 3:45 a.m. to Merriman's house in Poway, north of San Diego, after a woman called to say she was choked by the player and thrown to the ground when she tried to leave, Sheriff's Department spokesman Jan Caldwell said at a news conference.

Merriman, 25, was taken into custody and booked into the central jail at about 8:30 a.m. He was released shortly after 11 a.m. Caldwell said she didn't know if he posted bail or was released on his own recognizance.

Tequila was taken to a hospital. Her condition was not immediately available.

Caldwell said deputies determined Tequila had been drinking. She said she wasn't sure about Merriman. Caldwell said there were other people at the house, but wasn't sure if any of Merriman's teammates were there.

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila's affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men's magazines.

Scott E. Leemon, an attorney for Tequila, said in a statement that neither she nor her representatives would comment publicly on the incident.

Merriman didn't return two e-mails seeking comment. His agent, Tom Condon, said he hadn't heard about the arrest when contacted by The Associated Press.

Caldwell said the sheriff's department will turn over the results of its investigation to the District Attorney's office, which will determine whether to charge Merriman.

There had been considerable Twitter chatter between Tequila and Merriman during the last two months. She tweeted several times about going to the Chargers' game Friday night and a party she held afterward at a downtown club, including "Im the Head Cheerleader Prom Queen and @shawnemerriman is the Prom King! hahaha! LETS GOOO! LIGHTS OUT! SAN DIEGO I WILL SEE U TOMORROW!"

Merriman was the 12th overall pick out of Maryland in the 2005 draft, and had 39½ sacks in his first three seasons. The three-time Pro Bowl selection was getting back into shape after missing nearly all of last season following knee surgery.

The Chargers, picked by some as Super Bowl favorites, open the regular season a week from Monday night at Oakland. Players had been off since after Friday night's exhibition finale against San Francisco. They are due back at practice on Monday.

"It's disappointing to hear about the issue involving Shawne Merriman," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said in statement. "We'll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course."

Smith didn't return a call seeking further comment.

Smith often speaks of signing "character" players, yet the Chargers have had their share of embarrassing off-field problems in recent seasons.

In 2006, there were seven run-ins with the law by San Diego players, including linebacker Steve Foley's shooting by an off-duty police officer who suspected him of drunken driving.

Merriman was suspended four games for testing positive for steroids in 2006, and linebacker Stephen Cooper was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2008 season after testing positive for a banned stimulant.

Smith reportedly has been unhappy with Merriman's extracurricular activities, and there's been speculation the Chargers will let him leave when he's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. Merriman has various business ventures and is enamored with the Los Angeles social scene. While on injured reserve last year he flew back and forth to Los Angeles once a week to appear on a football preview show.
 
Merriman says he didn't harm MTV's Tequila

San Diego Chargers star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman said he didn't harm a reality TV star who has accused him of choking and restraining her.

In a statement late Sunday, Merriman said he was worried for the safety of Tila Tequila because she appeared to be intoxicated and he didn't want her to drive.

Merriman also said paramedics who were called to his home in Poway, north of San Diego, reported no injuries to Tequila, best known for "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," which ran for two seasons on MTV.

Merriman's attorney, Todd Macaluso, disputed Tequila's story and said he's confident Merriman won't be charged by the District Attorney's Office.

"There was absolutely no wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Merriman," Macaluso told The Associated Press by phone. "He essentially was doing what was appropriate under the circumstances in trying to protect the safety of Miss Tequila. There were numerous eyewitnesses that will support his version of the events that transpired at his home."

Tequila was reported to be Merriman's girlfriend, but Merriman told ESPN's Colleen Dominguez in a text message that Tequila is only a female acquaintance.

San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman says Merriman was arrested early Sunday when the 27-year-old Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant charging him with battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Jan Caldwell said at a news conference Sunday that deputies determined Tequila had been drinking.

"She was able to talk," Caldwell said. "She was able to walk. She was mobile. She did not have any serious injuries that our deputies saw."

Asked if Merriman was trying to keep Tequila from driving drunk, Macaluso said: "We don't want to comment on her conduct. The bottom line is, he did everything in his power to ensure her safety. He hopes she comes forth and tells the truth."

In a message to Dominguez on Monday, Merriman said he plans to participate in San Diego's afternoon practice and speak afterward, adding he thinks the matter will all be over soon.
 
DA starts deciding whether to charge Merriman

The District Attorney's Office on Wednesday began reviewing accusations of domestic violence that reality TV star Tila Tequila brought against star linebacker Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers.

The DA will review reports from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and decide if the player known as "Lights Out" will be charged.

Merriman was arrested early Sunday after Tequila accused him of choking and throwing her to the ground while she was trying to leave his home in suburban Poway. Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

Spokesman Paul Levikow said the DA's office can charge Merriman, reject the accusations or refer them to the San Diego City Attorney's Office for consideration as misdemeanors.

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila's affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men's magazines.

Merriman and his attorney, Todd Macaluso, have said they expect him to be vindicated. Merriman issued a statement Sunday denying wrongdoing and saying he was trying to keep Tequila from leaving his home because she appeared to be intoxicated.

"I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported," Merriman's statement read.

On Tuesday night, Tequila's attorney called Merriman's explanation "spin" and predicted it would be discredited.

"It is never justifiable to brutally assault, choke, strike and imprison a woman," attorney Alan S. Gutman wrote. "Once the truth is fully revealed, Mr. Merriman's fantastic story of how he was trying to keep Ms. Tequila safe will be completely discredited."

Gutman didn't return calls seeking comment Wednesday. Merriman and Macaluso said they had no further comment.

When Merriman bailed out of jail on Sunday, a court appearance was scheduled for next Tuesday. If no charges are filed, that appearance will be removed from the court calendar, Levikow said. If the DA's office hasn't decided by then, the appearance will be rescheduled.

Merriman is one of the NFL's hardest-hitting players, nicknamed "Lights Out" for his savage hits. There's a tattoo of a light switch on his right forearm that he pretends to flip while doing his spasmodic sack dance.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection has been getting back into shape after having season-ending knee surgery following the 2008 opener.

The Chargers open the 2009 season Monday night at Oakland.
 
I don't buy a word that comes out of the mouth of this crazy biotch

Finally, facts are emerging regarding the incident that resulted in allegations that Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman battered and falsely imprisoned Tila Tequila Nguyen.

And we kind of wish they hadn't.

According to Juliette Vara of 10News.com in San Diego, Nguyen wasn't happy that Merriman was paying too much attention to other women at his home.

Per the report, Merriman went to his bedroom with two women. Nguyen then entered the room, and Merriman asked her to join them. She reacted angrily, threatening to have sex with a member of Merriman's entourage.

Instead, she took off all her clothes and tried to leave the house. Merriman then prevented her from leaving.

Citing unnamed sources, Vara also reports that Nguyen "faked" a neck injury, and that paramedics who arrived at the scene determined that she was fine.

It appears that this report is based on information from one or more of the other persons who were at Merriman's house on the evening in question. And given that one or more of the other persons who were at Merriman's house on the evening in question likely were drinking alcohol too, we're not sure how reliable anyone's recollection as to the events really is.

And that actually helps Merriman. Our guess is that the facts of this case will be littered with inconsistencies and discrepancies, making it a prime situation for a finding of reasonable doubt.
 
Tequila plans to meet with DA in Merriman case

Tila Tequila, the reality TV star who accused Shawne Merriman of domestic violence last weekend, said via her Twitter feed that she will meet with the San Diego County district attorney's office on Friday.

The Web site TMZ.com reported that the meeting was actually taking place Thursday afternoon.

Wednesday, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department turned over its reports to the DA's office. The DA will review them to decide if charges should be filed.

Merriman, the San Diego Chargers' Pro Bowl linebacker, was arrested early Sunday after Tequila accused him of choking and throwing her to the ground while she was trying to leave his suburban San Diego home. Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies. Tequila was hospitalized briefly and filed a citizen's complaint against Merriman. No charges have been filed.

Merriman contends he was protecting Tequila, who he says was drinking and intended to drive home. "At the time, I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided," he said in a statement.

Merriman also said in a statement that he wants to clear "his name" and "put this behind me so I can continue to focus on a successful season for the San Diego Chargers."

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, has denied Merriman's claims that she was drunk at the time of the incident.

San Diego County spokesman Paul Levikow said the DA's office can reject the accusations, or can refer them to the San Diego City Attorney's Office for consideration as misdemeanors.

The tweet from Tequila's account that said she would meet with the district attorney, which is verified by Twitter but is not guaranteed to have been written by her, was part of a string of tweets Thursday morning. She started by writing: "I will never be a VICTIM of anything. So when someone lays a hand on me then lies. Its on." She followed that up with more than 30 updates in the next hour, including accusing Merriman of lying in his statements to the media about her.

"Damage control. Blame Tila. Make her look bad. Send it out to the media so they don't [sic] believe her! Quick! Cover it up!" she wrote, according to the Twitter feed.

Later Thursday, some of the tweets were deleted from Tequila's page, including one saying she would meet with the district attorney.

Tequila's attorney, Alan Gutman, said earlier this week that Merriman is making personal attacks against her to spin coverage from his "illegal and indefensible actions."

"It is never justifiable to brutally assault, choke, strike and imprison a woman," Gutman said in a statement Tuesday night. "Once the truth is fully revealed, Mr. Merriman's fantastic story of how he was trying to keep Ms. Tequila safe will be completely discredited. No one, especially a woman, should ever have to endure what Mr. Merriman did to Tila Tequila."
 
DA dismisses Tequila's claims against Merriman

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis on Friday dismissed reality TV star Tila Tequila's accusations that San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman choked her and threw her to the ground early Sunday while she was trying to leave his suburban home.

Merriman was arrested after Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

Dumanis decided not to charge Merriman after her office spent three days reviewing reports from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

"After a thorough review of the investigation into the Sept. 6, 2009, incident at the Poway home of Shawne Merriman, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed," Dumanis said in a statement. "This case is now closed. No further comment will be made."

Dumanis' statement was released moments after the Chargers concluded practice. Informed by reporters that he wouldn't be charged, Merriman said he couldn't comment until after he'd spoken with his lawyers.

A few hours later, he released a statement that read in part:

"I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's office for carefully reviewing the evidence and not rushing to judgment on these serious allegations. I also appreciate the objectiveness expressed by the San Diego Charges ownership and management, my teammates, my friends and especially all the fans. I look forward to continuing to stay focused on my career goals: a great season of football and the success of the San Diego Chargers."

In a statement, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said: "It's really good news for Shawne. We're happy things worked out for him on the legal front."

Smith didn't return a call seeking further comment.

The Chargers are preparing for their season opener Monday night at Oakland. It will be Merriman's first game back since having knee surgery after the 2008 season opener.

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila's affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men's magazines.

Merriman said he was trying to keep Tequila from leaving his home because she appeared to be intoxicated and denied harming her.

Tequila's attorney, Alan Gutman, called Merriman's explanation "spin" and predicted it would be discredited, saying the 6-foot-4, 265-pound linebacker "brutally" assaulted his client.

Gutman did not return calls seeking comment.
 
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