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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Burress' gun case delayed to Sept. 23


Associated Press

NEW YORK — Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress is negotiating with several NFL teams to return to pro football this season after a judge delayed his trial yesterday on gun possession charges.

Burress made a brief appearance in court yesterday, accompanied by his wife and attorney Benjamin Brafman. Judge Felicia Mennin adjourned the case until Sept. 23.

Outside court, Brafman said it was "inconceivable" that Burress would face trial on the charge before 2010, said several teams were trying to sign his client, and "physically he's in the best shape of his life. He's ready to play."

Burress' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, posted on Twitter yesterday that he hopes to have a deal with an NFL team for Burress before training camp starts, and said he's confident the NFL won't have grounds to discipline Burress until after his case is processed in court.

Brafman said he didn't think the case would be resolved through a plea agreement, that prosecutors would take it to a grand jury, and that Burress would plead not guilty if the case went to trial.

"There is not a victim in this case except Plaxico Burress," he said.

Burress, 31, shot himself in the thigh with an unlicensed gun Nov. 29 while in a Manhattan nightclub. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison. Burress has pleaded not guilty and is free on $100,000 bail.

The Giants released him April 3.

BROWNS

STALLWORTH TO PLEAD GUILTY IN FLORIDA DUI FATALITY

Attorneys say Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has agreed to plead guilty to DUI manslaughter charges and would serve some jail time for a Miami car crash in which a pedestrian was struck and killed.

Prosecutors and Stallworth's attorney confirmed to the Associated Press last night that a deal has been struck. The 28-year-old Stallworth is expected to be in a Miami courtroom today to enter the plea.

Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office spokeswoman Terry Chavez says the family of victim Mario Reyes wants to resolve the case. She says the deal includes a short jail sentence and lengthy probation.

Police say Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of .126 after the crash, well above Florida's .08 limit to drive. Prosecutors say Stallworth struck Reyes after a night on the town.

BRONCOS

DENVER SIGNS WR LLOYD; WR MARSHALL WANTS OUT

The Broncos have signed free-agent wide receiver Brandon Lloyd on the same day a radio station reported holdout Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver.

Lloyd is a seventh-year pro with 15 career touchdown catches who played for Chicago last season. He's also played for Washington and San Francisco.

His signing comes as Adam Schefter reported yesterday on the Broncos' flagship radio network, KOA in Denver, that Marshall requested the trade during a meeting Friday with team owner Pat Bowlen.

ELSEWHERE

Jaguars: Guard Vince Manuwai returned to practice with Jacksonville yesterday, his first full practice since tearing two ligaments in his right knee more than nine months ago. The Farrington High and University of Hawai'i alum took three snaps with the first-team offense.

Falcons: Atlanta added depth to its offensive line by signing Jeremy Newberry, the former longtime starting center for the San Francisco 49ers. Newberry started three games for San Diego last season after starting each of his 14 games with Oakland in the 2007 season.

Cardinals: Arizona tight end Ben Patrick has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Patrick tested positive for the drug Adderall, an amphetamine, his agent Kevin Omell said yesterday.

Raiders: Oakland was closing in on a contract with defensive end Greg Ellis last night. The 6-foot-6, 262-pound Ellis, who turns 34 on Aug. 14, was released earlier this month by the Dallas Cowboys.

Jets: New York signed third-round draft pick and former Iowa running back Shonn Greene yesterday to a four-year deal that includes a $905,000 signing bonus.