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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 7:38 a.m., Monday, February 23, 2009

NFL: Former Viking Eller sentenced to workhouse

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller was sentenced today to 60 days in the county workhouse, 60 days of electronic home monitoring and a $3,000 fine.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Judge Dan Mabley denied a request from Eller's attorney to delay the sentence during an appeal and immediately ordered Eller into custody.

"This was a stern sentence," Freeman said.

In January, Mabley convicted the 67-year-old Eller of fourth-degree assault of a police officer and second-degree refusal to submit to chemical testing, both gross misdemeanors. On Monday, Mabley fined Eller $1,500 on each charge.

Mabley found that Eller had been drinking at a Minneapolis bar before he drove through a stop sign and swerved toward a squad car, just missing it, on April 9. Officers followed Eller, but he did not stop until he pulled into his driveway.

Mabley found that once Eller stepped out of his vehicle, he did not obey commands to show his hands and he resisted arrest. He fought with the two officers, and was not subdued until backup officers arrived.

Freeman said Eller will also get chemical dependency treatment and be subject to random testing. Should he fail a test, he could spend more time in the workhouse.

Eller's attorney, Albert Goins, did not immediately return a telephone message from The Associated Press Monday.

Eller was one of the Vikings' celebrated "Purple People Eaters" in his 15 years with Minnesota from 1964-78. He played in six Pro Bowls and all four of the Vikings' Super Bowl appearances. He finished his career in 1979 with Seattle. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.