Patriot legend Willie McGinest pleads not guilty in court to charges he smashed a bottle over a man’s head at an LA restaurant…with ex-NFL star facing up to eight years in prison
- The 51-year-old was arrested in December for his alleged role in the assault
- The victim claims McGinest assaulted him after he made comments about USC
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Patriots Hall of Famer Willie McGinest has pleaded not guilty to charges related to claims he smashed a bottle over a man’s head at a Los Angeles restaurant, with the former linebacker facing up to eight years in prison if convicted.
McGinest, 51, entered oral argument at a hearing on Tuesday, a spokesman for the LA District Attorney’s Office said. TMZ sports. He must return to court for his next hearing in October.
In March, the NFL star was charged with two felonies – one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of assault likely resulting in grievous bodily harm – for his role in a beating that took place at a nightclub called Delilah. in West Hollywood – in December.
Each charge carries a prison sentence of up to four years. McGinest was charged in April after turning himself in on December 19.
Security footage from the restaurant is said to show McGinest and other men approaching a man sitting at a booth. The victim alleges the three-time Super Bowl champion turned violent after making a comment about USC – McGinest’s alma issue – and losing the Pac-12 championship game to Utah in a lawsuit he filed.
Willie McGinest, 51, faces two felony counts each carrying a four-year prison sentence
McGinest allegedly beat up a man at Delilah in West Hollywood over a comment made at USC
General view of the Delilah Nightclub in West Hollywood where the alleged attack took place
In the video, McGinest punches the victim before the other assailants do. McGinest then allegedly smashed the victim’s head with a bottle.
The six-foot-tall, 270-pound former football player later posted $30,000 bail and was released.
He later apologized for the incident on social media.
“First of all, I would like to offer my deepest apologies for my error of judgment and conduct on December 9 at a restaurant in West Hollywood,” McGinest posted on Instagram in December.
McGinest was a linebacker with the Patriots for 12 seasons and won three Super Bowls titles
McGinest has not appeared on the air since he was suspended following his December 19 arrest
“To my family, community, friends and youth I mentor, please know that I feel terrible for my actions and take full responsibility.”
NFL Network has suspended McGinest from his role as an analyst.
McGinest played the first 12 seasons of his 15-year NFL career with the Patriots – the team that won the Vince Lombardi Trophy three times.
He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1996 and 2003 and ranks second in Patriots history with 78 sacks.
In 15 seasons with the Patriots (1994–2005) and Browns (2006–08), McGinest played in 212 games (184 starts) and recorded 804 tackles and 86 sacks, as well as a league-record 16 postseason sacks.