Update:
Rusty Hardin, the lawyer for Eagles DE Michael Bennett, tells Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com that his client “did not do this” and is innocent.
“When this is all over everyone will know Michael is not guilty,” Hardin said. “He did not do this.”
“I’m going to say this with a smile and total confidence: they are going to change their mind. This guy didn’t do it.”
“I can tell you that Michael had nothing to do with anything that happened with this lady they’re alleging,” Hardin added. “I don’t know who did, or what. I don’t even know what she says happened. I just know he didn’t do anything and I know what the indictment said.”
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According to Tim McManus, Eagles DE Michael Bennett appeared before a judge at the Harris County court in Texas Monday afternoon regarding the felony charge of injury to the elderly.
McManus reports that bond was set at $10,000 and he will be permitted to travel between his home in Hawaii and the Houston area for court appearances.
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A.J. Perez of USA Today reports that Eagles DE Michael Bennett will surrender at the district court in Houston today at 1pm local time.
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Attorney Rusty Hardin tells USA Today that his client, Eagles DE Michael Bennett, is currently out of the country, but plans to return and surrender to police on Monday for the charge of injuring an elderly woman.
Hardin said in a phone interview with USA Today that he’s still gathering details of the case, but admitted that he’s “concerned about the rhetoric” conveyed by police.
“My initial reaction is that everyone needs to calm down a little bit,” Hardin said. “He’s a professional football player who is very respected for his work on social issues. I’m going to take my time to find out what occurred.”
Bennett was indicted on a felony charge of injury of the elderly stemming from an incident that occurred back in February of 2017.
Bennett is accused of injuring a 66-year-old paraplegic who was working at NRG Stadium to control access to the field at Super Bowl LI. Bennett was in attendance to watch his brother, Martellus, play in the Super Bowl for the Patriots.
Bennett allegedly shoved his way onto to the field following the game injuring the elderly woman. He could face up to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A warrant has been issued for Bennett’s arrest.
Here’s the Eagles’ statement regarding Bennett:
“We are aware of the situation involving Michael Bennett and are in the process of gathering more information. Because this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Neither the Seahawks (Bob Condotta) nor the Eagles (Les Bowen) were aware that Bennett could be indicted before the trade was agreed to.
Bennett, 32, began his NFL career with the Buccaneers and spent four years in Tampa Bay before signing on with the Seahawks as a free agent back in 2013. Seattle signed him to a new four-year, $39 million contract that included $17.5 million guaranteed last year before trading him to the Eagles this offseason.
Bennett stands to make base salaries of $1.5 million and $6 million over the next two years of the agreement.
In 2017, Bennett had appeared in 16 games for the Seahawks and recorded 40 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and a pass defense.
We’ll have more regarding Bennett as the news is available.
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