Michael Bennett's sister claims video proves NFL player's innocence in felony case
Michael Bennett should be focusing on impressing his new team, the Super Bowl champion Eagles, as they get ready to defend their title.
Instead, he’s preparing for a legal battle over an alleged fight with a 66-year-old paraplegic security guard.
Bennett was charged with causing injury to the elderly following the incident at Super Bowl LI in Houston.
The former Seahawk was trying to get on the field to celebrate with his brother, since-retired Patriots tight end Martellus, but didn’t have the proper credential for entrance.
A shoving incident ensued, which led to the 66-year-old disabled woman being injured.
But Bennett’s sister, Ashley, claims she has video that will clear her brother.
After his arrest, she tweeted on her protected account: “I LITERALLY HAVE THE VIDEO ON MY PHONE. Lawyers won’t let me post it at the moment.”
Brandon Lee Gowton of SB Nation shared a 26-second portion of video from Ashley Bennett that shows her celebrating in the stands and then running on the field with her brother. However, there’s a gap in the middle where the incident with the 66-year-old woman allegedly took place.
This video doesn’t show the alleged felony committed by Michael Bennett but it does show his sister, Ashley Bennett, *did* record herself and her brother running onto the field after the 2017 Super Bowl. https://t.co/UKyUTNiAZa pic.twitter.com/ZOPfYDzD03
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 24, 2018
Michael Bennett’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin — best known for defending Roger Clemens in court — says his client has nothing to feel guilty about.
“He knows he didn’t do this,” Hardin said. “He’s assuming the system will ultimately conclude that once they get all the information. But it’s obviously a very embarrassing and humiliating thing to go through, walking out of a court room with a bunch of TV cameras and in handcuffs, particularly for something you didn’t even do.”
Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said the woman suffered a sprained shoulder, and called the All-Pro lineman “morally bankrupt.“
He quoted Bennett as telling security guards, “You all must know who I am and I can own this motherf—er. I’m going down to the field, whether you like it or not.”
Hardin suggests that Bennett is being unfairly targeted. Credentials or not, family members coming on the field is standard protocol, he says.
“That always is the case at the Super Bowl,” Hardin said. “They always let the players down with their families to celebrate with their loved ones.”
About two weeks ago, Bennett turned himself into authorities and posted bond for $10,000.
If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
In the meantime, Bennett has a new book out, titled “Things That Make White People Uncomfortable.”
He has canceled a publicity tour for the book in the wake of his arrest, but his publisher, Haymarket Books, stands by its man.
The company — which says its “mission is to publish books that contribute to struggles for social and economic justice” — said in a statement, “Michael Bennett is being targeted for being a Black man who speaks out boldly against racism and police brutality.
“The latest charges against Michael are clearly an effort by his political opponents — once again — to silence him. We will not let them succeed.”
This could be a long summer for the newest Eagle and his legal team.
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