The spokesperson for Adrian Peterson's attorney says the Vikings running back will not plead guilty to child abuse charges at his first court appearance in Montgomery County, Texas on Wednesday.
Follow @tedhallerfox9 for the latest from the Montgomery County courthouse.
Mary Flood, the spokesperson for attorney Rusty Hardin, emailed ESPN on Tuesday and said Peterson won't plead guilty to “reckless or negligent injury to a child,” related to his use of a switch, or small tree branch, to discipline his 4-year-old son in Texas this spring.
"If the court asks for a plea tomorrow [and we do expect that to happen], it will very definitely be NOT guilty," Flood said in an email to ESPN.com. "We hope that a trial date is also discussed but don't yet know how the court's docket is looking."
Flood added that it's possible a trial date won't be set up at tomorrow's hearing, and didn't want to speculate how long it would take to secure one. What happens if this goes to trial? An experienced Houston attorney Christopher Tritico said he's had cases like this that spanned 3 years, but it's up to the court's docket as to whether this case can go to trial before next football season.
Hardin confirmed Peterson's indictment Sept. 12, Peterson flew to Texas late that night to turn himself in, and has consistently stated he'd cooperate with authorities. The Vikings (2-3) expected him to play during Week 3, General Manager Rick Spielman saying he “deserves to play while the legal process plays out,” but shortly thereafter, Peterson was placed on the NFL's Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list which requires him to remain away from all team activities until his legal proceedings are resolved. The NFL Players Association confirmed Peterson decided to take a voluntary leave with his full $11.75 million salary.
Peterson's initial appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. CT on Wednesday. If convicted, he could face six months to two years in Texas state prison, but as a first-time offender, he could be put on probation. The NFL's boosted domestic violence policy allows the league to suspend players for up to six weeks.
Friday, October 10 2014 4:01 PM EDT2014-10-10 20:01:15 GMT
A Minnesota woman who stole an ambulance Friday morning from a hospital in Chicago's northwest suburbs was arrested in downstate Rantoul, Ill. more than two hours later, police said. The ambulance was stolen about 4:20 a.m. from Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill.
A Minnesota woman who stole an ambulance Friday morning from a hospital in Chicago's northwest suburbs was arrested in downstate Rantoul, Ill. more than two hours later, police said. The ambulance was stolen about 4:20 a.m. from Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill.
Friday, October 10 2014 8:56 AM EDT2014-10-10 12:56:02 GMT
Two weeks ago, a Twin Cities mom had an idea to write kind words in sidewalk chalk for all the kids to see.She posted the idea for Kindness in Chalk on her blog and Facebook page, and it's already spread beyond Minnesota's borders.
Two weeks ago, a Twin Cities mom had an idea to write kind words in sidewalk chalk for all the kids to see.She posted the idea for Kindness in Chalk on her blog and Facebook page, and it's already spread beyond Minnesota's borders.
Friday, October 10 2014 9:00 AM EDT2014-10-10 13:00:12 GMT
One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting at a trailer park in St. Anthony Village, Minn. A report of shots fired came in just before 10 p.m. Thursday night at the Lowry Grove Trailer Park.
One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting at a trailer park in St. Anthony Village, Minn. A report of shots fired came in just before 10 p.m. Thursday night at the Lowry Grove Trailer Park.
Friday, October 10 2014 8:37 AM EDT2014-10-10 12:37:25 GMT
Downtown Minneapolis may look like a scene out of "The Walking Dead" this weekend -- but although the zombies who fill the city for the annual pub crawl spend a lot of money, some businesses aren't thrilled.
Downtown Minneapolis may look like a scene out of "The Walking Dead" this weekend -- but although the zombies who fill the city for the annual pub crawl spend a lot of money, some businesses aren't thrilled.
Thursday, October 9 2014 3:52 PM EDT2014-10-09 19:52:21 GMT
Minneapolis police say they're 100 percent confident they've arrested the man involved in two assaults that happened in Ramp C near Target Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Minneapolis police say they're 100 percent confident they've arrested the man involved in two assaults that happened in Ramp C near Target Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Thursday, October 9 2014 6:51 PM EDT2014-10-09 22:51:28 GMT
To the kids involved, it seemed like fun and games -- a silly way to celebrate homecoming, but Farmington police say the stunt students pulled was dangerous, dumb, and possibly criminal.
To the kids involved, it seemed like fun and games -- a silly way to celebrate homecoming, but Farmington police say the stunt students pulled was dangerous, dumb, and possibly criminal.
Wednesday, October 8 2014 10:38 PM EDT2014-10-09 02:38:46 GMT
A Stillwater family is asking for help from the local community because they want to have their loved one home while she recovers from a horrific car accident that occurred on a vacation to Ireland.
A Stillwater family is asking for help from the local community because they want to have their loved one home while she recovers from a horrific car accident that occurred on a vacation to Ireland.
Thursday, October 9 2014 8:07 PM EDT2014-10-10 00:07:50 GMT
Prosecutors have leveled two felony charges of animal torture against a 26-year-old man who they say organized a dog fight that left a pit bull terrier gravely injured and refused to take the dog to treatment.
Prosecutors have leveled two felony charges of animal torture against a 26-year-old man who they say organized a dog fight that left a pit bull terrier gravely injured and refused to take the dog to treatment.
