Lawyer: Giants WR Burress to turn himself in

Dec 1, 2008 - 1:03 AM By PA SportsTicker

Plaxico Burress will turn himself into authorities on Monday and plead not guilty to criminal possession of a weapon, according to the lawyer who is representing the New York Giants wide receiver.

Attorney Benjamin Brafman said in an e-mail to PA SportsTicker on Sunday night that Burress will be charged as a result of accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub Friday night.

Burress will report to the 17th precinct in Manhattan on Monday morning where he will be charged. He later will enter a plea of not guilty, Brafman said.

"We ask that his fans, the New York Giants and the general public reserve judgment in this case until all of the facts have been fully developed," Brafman wrote.

Burress and teammate Antonio Pierce were at the Latin Quarter late Friday night when the shooting occurred. Burress was hospitalized overnight and released at about 2 p.m. Saturday.

Multiple media outlets have reported that Pierce also is under investigation by police for taking the gun from the scene and bringing it to New Jersey.

Following the Giants' 23-7 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday in Landover, Maryland, Pierce was quizzed on his involvement in the shooting, particularly a report that he loudly chastised Burress for having a weapon on him.

"I'm glad I got asked that question," Pierce said. "I'm going to say this once and for the last time, I am not answering any questions about the incident that happened Friday night.

"If you have anything to say about the Washington Redskins and this game moving forward, I'll answer it. Anything else, I'm not answering."

Brafman said Burress also will not be making any statements.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin was happy with the way his team refused to let the incident become a distraction.

"We are all upset about what happened with Plaxico, and hopefully he will be fine," Coughlin said. "Once we knew he was going to be OK, the guys were all able to go back to focusing on the reason we are here."

Fellow wideout Amani Toomer hinted that the public perception of Burress is not accurate.

"I like him as a player. I like him as a person. I think he's a good person," Toomer said. "A lot of people don't really understand how good of a person he really is - he has a big heart.

"He gives all of the receivers stuff at Christmas, all that stuff he really does not have to do. I think he's a good guy."

Giants owner John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese each addressed the shooting prior to Sunday's game.

"I'm disappointed this happened and that any of our guys would put themselves in this kind of situation," Mara told the Star-Ledger of Newark. "Our first concern is for Plaxico's health and well-being. We were very relieved to find out he is OK. But yeah, I'm disappointed."

Reese said he had not spoken with Burress - and not for lack of trying.

"I reached out to him. I did not get a return phone call," Reese told the newspaper. "So I haven't spoken to him yet."

Reese said he also had spoken with Pierce, noting that the middle linebacker has been cooperative with NFL security and the police.

On Saturday, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email that the league is working with the Giants "to determine the facts."

Burress did not practice all week due to an ailing hamstring and already had been ruled out of Sunday's game on Friday. He shot himself in the same leg as the injured hamstring.

On its website, The Latin Quarter promoted itself as a "VIP Nook, sportsmen galore ... with man hands pulling lady legs around their waists."

A promoter who books private parties at the club told PA SportsTicker he was not aware of anything unusual Friday night, although he noted the massive structure features two floors, two VIP lounges and holds 1,300 people. He added that if the shooting occurred in one of the VIP rooms, it would not be noticed by patrons at the club.

Burress, who has 41 receptions for 454 yards and four touchdowns, aggravated the hamstring injury early in Sunday's 37-29 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals and has not practiced this week.

It has already been a tumultuous season for Burress, who missed the team's October 5 game against the Seattle Seahawks after being suspended for missing a team meeting.

Burress, who signed a five-year, $35 million contract extension prior to the season, also was involved in a sideline confrontation with coach Tom Coughlin during a game and has been fined multiple times for a total of approximately $200,000.

The Record of Bergen County also reported last month that police responded to two domestic disturbance calls at the home of the star wide receiver in the past six months.

Temporary restraining orders were obtained in both instances after Burress' wife, Tiffany, had phoned the police, according to the newspaper. During the second incident, in August, Tiffany Burress claimed she had left her husband at a New York nightclub following an argument between the pair.

Burress led the Giants with 70 receptions for 1,025 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns last season, despite being unable to practice virtually the entire season because of an ankle injury.

He capped off his memorable 2007 season by hauling in the winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining that lifted the Giants to a stunning 17-14 upset of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

In his first three-plus seasons with the Giants, Burress has 227 receptions for 3,486 yards and 30 touchdowns. He has 18 catches for 259 yards and a TD this season.