KC Star: Chiefs Legal Update 8/18 - Page 2

tk13 · 01:34 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12410723.htm

Chiefs kicker faces battery charges
Tynes allegedly broke nose of bouncer at River Falls bar

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Trying to make light of a grave situation, Lawrence Tynes’ Chiefs teammates have taken to calling him “Killer.”

When the joking subsided, those familiar with Tynes, a second-year place-kicker, say the felony substantial battery and misdemeanor battery charges filed against him for his role in a bar fight are out of character.

Police painted a different picture of Tynes for his part in an incident at Boomer’s, a River Falls night club, early Sunday morning. According to the police report, Tynes punched in the face first one bar customer and later a bar bouncer, the latter receiving a broken nose. Police said Tynes was agitated and tried to re-enter the bar after being escorted out.

Tynes made his initial appearance in Pierce County Circuit Court in Ellsworth, Wis., on Wednesday morning, district attorney John O’Boyle said. He signed a $15,000 signature bond and was released. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 11.

The substantial battery charge carries a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine or jail sentence of 3½ years or both. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine or nine months in jail or both.

Police said video obtained from a security camera at the bar showed Tynes bumping into the bar patron, whom they identified as 25-year-old Bradley Daryl Roy of River Falls. After the two talked for a moment, Tynes was seen throwing his drink at Roy and then attacking him, police said.

According to the report, Tynes is later seen striking the bar bouncer, Brian J. Roquette, 27, of River Falls, in the face.

No one else was charged in the incident.

River Falls Police Capt. John Stapleton said Tynes was not arrested at the scene because officers at the time were unaware of Roquette’s injury.

“Under Wisconsin statute, if there’s a broken bone, that makes it a felony,” Stapleton said. “At that time, we had no proof there was aggravated battery. So it would have been a misdemeanor and unless there’s extenuating circumstances, we don’t take people to jail for a misdemeanor.

“Once the investigation was complete and the medical reports showed a broken nose, we sent the reports to the district attorney’s office, and he filed the charges.”

A woman who answered the phone at Roquette’s house said he would have no comment while litigation was pending.

Tynes also had nothing to say. But according to the report, he told police he was trying to leave the bar and was attacked by several customers. A witness to the incident who works for the Chiefs said Roy initially provoked Tynes first by bumping him and then by taunting him.

Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann, who was at Boomer’s that night, told police that as bouncers escorted Tynes to the door after his encounter with Roy, an unknown person grabbed Tynes by the neck.

Wiegmann said Tynes then swung blindly and struck Roquette.

“Obviously there are two sides to every story,” said Tynes’ attorney, Earl Gray. “He was acting in self defense.

“Their depiction of the videotape is not real accurate. I haven’t seen it. I’ve talked to somebody who has, and they say you can’t see anything except a bunch of guys jumping on my client. In Wisconsin, you have a right to a preliminary hearing. On that date, I think things will look a little different.”

Boomer’s sits on otherwise quiet Elm Street just off River Falls’ only main drag. Located around the corner from the police station, Boomer’s carries a Chiefs’ helmet decal in its front window alongside a beer poster welcoming Chiefs fans.

The dance club typically fills up as an evening moves along. So it did late Saturday night. Many of the customers that night were Chiefs players and staff members enjoying a rare night off at training camp.

Members of the Chiefs’ security staff were also present and cleared many players from the bar as the scene unfolded.

Teddy Roughton, who owns Boomer’s, declined to show the security video to reporters.

“The only people who have a copy are the people who work our security and the police,” he said. “As of right now, that’s how it’s going to stay. We haven’t shown it to anybody else. We don’t plan on showing it to anybody else. When we hear everything is settled, resolved and decided and we kind of get the OK that it doesn’t matter anymore, then if it gets out, it gets out.”

“I use this for personal safety of my staff and my customers. It’s not anything I would ever use to glorify a situation or show someone else’s business.”

Many of the Chiefs were mystified how Tynes could be involved in such an episode.

“He’s not a guy who goes around starting problems,” said defensive end Jared Allen, a friend of Tynes. “I’ve been out with him a bunch of times, and we always have a good time. Somebody must have provoked him. He’s never been the type of guy to go out and start fights.”

Tynes has been inconsistent with his field goals in training camp and missed an attempt against the Vikings. Coach Dick Vermeil said the Chiefs wouldn’t consider the episode when deciding whether to bring in a kicker to compete with Tynes.

“He’s very remorseful,” Vermeil said. “His response was wrong. You can’t do that. I’ve got some guys I would expect to react that way if somebody bumped into him and made some remarks. I wouldn’t ever expect Lawrence to do that. Normally, kickers don’t have that temperament.”

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http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12409974.htm

Court date set for Siavii’s two charges

The Kansas City Star

MINNEAPOLIS — Junior Siavii will be back in court Oct. 6 on charges stemming from a late-night disturbance at a Minneapolis hotel last weekend.

Siavii, a defensive tackle for the Chiefs, was not present Wednesday morning as his lawyer entered not-guilty pleas for one count of disorderly conduct and one count of fifth-degree assault. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Siavii’s attorney, Minneapolis-based David Valentini, asked for a jury trial.

Police were summoned to the Graves 601 Hotel at 1:20 a.m. Sunday because of a disturbance, Minneapolis police Lt. Brad Sporny said. Siavii allegedly threw objects and yelled obscenities at a hotel security guard.

The maximum penalty for disorderly conduct is a year in jail and a $3,000 fine, according to Minnesota statutes. The maximum penalty for fifth-degree assault is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Safety Greg Wesley was charged with one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the incident. Wesley has a Friday court date in Minneapolis.

philfree · 08-19-2005, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanm

You know, even though they announced last week that they would return to RF again next year I would expect any day now they announce that TC will be in Missouri next year.

They've already signed the contract so both parties would have to agree to declare it void. Besides the crap that has transpired is minor. Imagine a bouncer taking a shot in the face while trying to throw somebody out

That guy probably had his nose broke more then once and Tynes just loosened it up.

PhilFree

**Anyong Bluth** · 08-19-2005, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Yeah you have to be really tough to sucker punch a bouncer. More likely you have to have beer muscles

Well, so far it seems there are two stories and that he blindly swung after being grabbed by the neck. This came from Casey Wiegman's statement, which, I guess, was the only truthful account by a chiefs member since other players lied and said he was jumped. (not true)

After dealing with enough bar incidents, both as a bartender and being legally representation, you have to realize there are few times one party is ever completely wrong, and even fewer you can conclusively prove in court that they are. Testimony by persons that have been drinking are generally unreliable, and video evidence may be inconclusive. Think of the number of times a personnal foul is called in a game on the guy that retaliates for another player's original actions, same difference.

Quote:

So the bouncer's family says that litigation is pending? Can a bouncer really sue for doing his job and getting in the middle of a fight? Sounds to me like he should get sued for not handling the situation better. Darn golddigger.

This isn't friday night fights, you don't take a job with the expectation of being assaulted. Bouncers are generally hired to deter the thought of instigating a fight- thats why you choose the largest, most menancing looking ones you can, but if they get involved in a scrum its not a general job requirement to be expected. Bouncers versus a group of pro football players doesn't really follow this traditional fact pattern. What Tynes did can't be justified regardless if he was the one that got physical first, because self-defense clearly limits a defense of one's attack no more proportionate that that which was given, or "give no better than what you get."

The real black eye in the situation will end up being the chiefs player's reputations, because chances are any and all incidents are classic plea charges resulting in fines & varying amounts of community service.

Bottom line, this isn't the old west, you're not proving your manhood by getting into fights at bars.

Terribilis · 08-19-2005, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

“Under Wisconsin statute, if there’s a broken bone, that makes it a felony,” Stapleton said

ahh the nose bone

08-18-2005, 01:20 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1687500	KC Star: Chiefs Legal Update 8/18 http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12410723.htm Chiefs kicker faces battery charges Tynes allegedly broke nose of bouncer at River Falls bar By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Trying to make light of a grave situation, Lawrence Tynes’ Chiefs teammates have taken to calling him “Killer.” When the joking subsided, those familiar with Tynes, a second-year place-kicker, say the felony substantial battery and misdemeanor battery charges filed against him for his role in a bar fight are out of character. Police painted a different picture of Tynes for his part in an incident at Boomer’s, a River Falls night club, early Sunday morning. According to the police report, Tynes punched in the face first one bar customer and later a bar bouncer, the latter receiving a broken nose. Police said Tynes was agitated and tried to re-enter the bar after being escorted out. Tynes made his initial appearance in Pierce County Circuit Court in Ellsworth, Wis., on Wednesday morning, district attorney John O’Boyle said. He signed a $15,000 signature bond and was released. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 11. The substantial battery charge carries a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine or jail sentence of 3½ years or both. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine or nine months in jail or both. Police said video obtained from a security camera at the bar showed Tynes bumping into the bar patron, whom they identified as 25-year-old Bradley Daryl Roy of River Falls. After the two talked for a moment, Tynes was seen throwing his drink at Roy and then attacking him, police said. According to the report, Tynes is later seen striking the bar bouncer, Brian J. Roquette, 27, of River Falls, in the face. No one else was charged in the incident. River Falls Police Capt. John Stapleton said Tynes was not arrested at the scene because officers at the time were unaware of Roquette’s injury. “Under Wisconsin statute, if there’s a broken bone, that makes it a felony,” Stapleton said. “At that time, we had no proof there was aggravated battery. So it would have been a misdemeanor and unless there’s extenuating circumstances, we don’t take people to jail for a misdemeanor. “Once the investigation was complete and the medical reports showed a broken nose, we sent the reports to the district attorney’s office, and he filed the charges.” A woman who answered the phone at Roquette’s house said he would have no comment while litigation was pending. Tynes also had nothing to say. But according to the report, he told police he was trying to leave the bar and was attacked by several customers. A witness to the incident who works for the Chiefs said Roy initially provoked Tynes first by bumping him and then by taunting him. Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann, who was at Boomer’s that night, told police that as bouncers escorted Tynes to the door after his encounter with Roy, an unknown person grabbed Tynes by the neck. Wiegmann said Tynes then swung blindly and struck Roquette. “Obviously there are two sides to every story,” said Tynes’ attorney, Earl Gray. “He was acting in self defense. “Their depiction of the videotape is not real accurate. I haven’t seen it. I’ve talked to somebody who has, and they say you can’t see anything except a bunch of guys jumping on my client. In Wisconsin, you have a right to a preliminary hearing. On that date, I think things will look a little different.” Boomer’s sits on otherwise quiet Elm Street just off River Falls’ only main drag. Located around the corner from the police station, Boomer’s carries a Chiefs’ helmet decal in its front window alongside a beer poster welcoming Chiefs fans. The dance club typically fills up as an evening moves along. So it did late Saturday night. Many of the customers that night were Chiefs players and staff members enjoying a rare night off at training camp. Members of the Chiefs’ security staff were also present and cleared many players from the bar as the scene unfolded. Teddy Roughton, who owns Boomer’s, declined to show the security video to reporters. “The only people who have a copy are the people who work our security and the police,” he said. “As of right now, that’s how it’s going to stay. We haven’t shown it to anybody else. We don’t plan on showing it to anybody else. When we hear everything is settled, resolved and decided and we kind of get the OK that it doesn’t matter anymore, then if it gets out, it gets out.” “I use this for personal safety of my staff and my customers. It’s not anything I would ever use to glorify a situation or show someone else’s business.” Many of the Chiefs were mystified how Tynes could be involved in such an episode. “He’s not a guy who goes around starting problems,” said defensive end Jared Allen, a friend of Tynes. “I’ve been out with him a bunch of times, and we always have a good time. Somebody must have provoked him. He’s never been the type of guy to go out and start fights.” Tynes has been inconsistent with his field goals in training camp and missed an attempt against the Vikings. Coach Dick Vermeil said the Chiefs wouldn’t consider the episode when deciding whether to bring in a kicker to compete with Tynes. “He’s very remorseful,” Vermeil said. “His response was wrong. You can’t do that. I’ve got some guys I would expect to react that way if somebody bumped into him and made some remarks. I wouldn’t ever expect Lawrence to do that. Normally, kickers don’t have that temperament.” ---------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12409974.htm Court date set for Siavii’s two charges The Kansas City Star MINNEAPOLIS — Junior Siavii will be back in court Oct. 6 on charges stemming from a late-night disturbance at a Minneapolis hotel last weekend. Siavii, a defensive tackle for the Chiefs, was not present Wednesday morning as his lawyer entered not-guilty pleas for one count of disorderly conduct and one count of fifth-degree assault. Both charges are misdemeanors. Siavii’s attorney, Minneapolis-based David Valentini, asked for a jury trial. Police were summoned to the Graves 601 Hotel at 1:20 a.m. Sunday because of a disturbance, Minneapolis police Lt. Brad Sporny said. Siavii allegedly threw objects and yelled obscenities at a hotel security guard. The maximum penalty for disorderly conduct is a year in jail and a $3,000 fine, according to Minnesota statutes. The maximum penalty for fifth-degree assault is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Safety Greg Wesley was charged with one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the incident. Wesley has a Friday court date in Minneapolis. Last edited by tk13; 08-18-2005 at 01:34 AM..
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