Shawne Merriman Arrested -- Nfl FanHouse

Merriman Arrested in Domestic Dispute

Posted Sep 07, 2009 1:09 AM

By BERNIE WILSON

(AP)

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SAN DIEGO (Sept. 7) -- San Diego Chargers star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman said he did not harm reality TV star Tila Tequila at his home early Sunday and added he was concerned for her safety because she appeared to be intoxicated.

Merriman was arrested and accused of choking and throwing Tequila to the ground as she tried to leave his home in suburban Poway. Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

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Tila Tequila Photos

FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2007 file photo, TV Personality Tila Tequila makes an appearance at MTV Studios in New York. Authorities say San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman has been arrested on suspicion of choking and restraining his girlfriend, a reality TV star, as she tried to leave his Southern California home. San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman says 27-year-old Tila Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant early Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

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Tila Tequila Photos

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2009 file photo, San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman stands on the sidelines before an NFL pre-season football game against the Seattle Seahawks in San Diego. Authorities say San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman has been arrested on suspicion of choking and restraining his girlfriend, a reality TV star, as she tried to leave his Southern California home. San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman says 27-year-old Tila Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant early Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation's 10th Anniversary Art For Life Benefit at the SimmonsÕ East Hampton Estate. Pictured: Tila "Tequila" Nguyen www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com NON-EXCLUSIVE July 18, 2009 Job: 90720NB2 East Hampton, New York www.bauergriffiffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

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EAST HAMPTON, NY - JULY 18: Tila Tequila, Kevin Saer and Rajiah Williams attend Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation's 10th Anniversary Art For Life Benefit at Russell Simmons' East Hampton Estate on July 18, 2009 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tila Tequila;Kevin Saer;Rajiah Williams

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EAST HAMPTON, NY - JULY 18: Tila "Tequila" Nguyen attends Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation's 10th Anniversary Art For Life Benefit at Russell Simmons' East Hampton Estate on July 18, 2009 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tila Tequila

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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 04: TV personality Tila Tequila at the White Party hosted by Sean "Diddy" Combs and Ashton Kutcher to help raise awareness for Malaria No More held at a Private Residence on July 4, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images for Blueflame) *** Local Caption *** Tila Tequila

Getty Images for Blueflame

Shawne Merriman Proclaims Innocence in Statement
More From TMZ: Photos of Couple at Nightclub

Merriman spent about 2 1/2 hours in the downtown jail before posting bail.

Merriman practiced Monday, then said he's convinced he'll be cleared. It will ultimately be up to the District Attorney's office to decide if he'll be charged.

"I think when it all surfaces, it will be a different situation. Period," said Merriman, who described Tequila as an acquaintance.

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila's affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men's magazines.

Merriman said he was limited in what he could say. He kept referring to a statement issued through his attorney Sunday night.

"At the time, I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided," Merriman said in the statement. "We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety.

"I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported," the statement continued.

"It's kind of a tough situation where you think you're doing the right thing," Merriman said Monday. "I'm glad that everyone was safe at the end of the day. I don't think I will regret that part."

Asked if he threw Tequila to the ground, the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Merriman said: "No. I can't talk about any of that stuff."

Scott E. Leemon, an attorney for Tequila, didn't respond to an e-mail asking for comment on Merriman's statement.

Also Monday, the owner of a downtown club where Merriman and Tequila attended a party Saturday night said his staff told him Tequila had been drinking and it appeared Merriman had ordered only bottled water.

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San Diego Chargers Photos

Chuck Liddell, a mixed martial artist, gets a hug from San Diego Chargers' Kassim Osgood prior to the NFL preseason football game between the San Diego Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

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San Deigo Chargers Photos

SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 4: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers watches from the sidelines during the game with the San Diego Chargers on September 4, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 26-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alex Smith

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 4: Head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers talks on the sidelines during the game with the San Diego Chargers on September 4, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 26-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Singletary

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 4: Linebacker Diyral Briggs #47 of the San Francisco 49ers knocks the ball out of the hand of quarterback Charlie Whithurst #6 of the San Diego Chargers and force a turnover on the 12 yard line on September 4, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 26-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Diyral Briggs;Charlie Whitehurst

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 4: Linebacker Eric Bakhtiari #48 of the San Diego Chargers breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for fullback Bill Rent meester #43 of the San Francisco 49ers on September 4, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 26-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eric Bakhtiari;Bill Rentmeester

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 04: Linebacker Shawne Merriman #56 of the San Diego Chargers sits on the bench during the game with the San Francisco 49ers on September 4, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 26-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shawne Merriman

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 4: Tight end Kory Sperry #48 of the San Diego Chargers reaches to get the ball over the goal line as he scores on a fifteen yard touchdown reception past safety Curtis #28 of the San Francisco 49ers on September 4, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chrgers won 26-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kory Sperry;Curtis Taylor

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 04: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers walks on the field after the game with the San Francisco 49ers on September 4, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chrgers won 26-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Philip Rivers

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 4: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers greets quarterback Shaun Hill #13 of the San Francisco 49ers after the game on September 4, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chrgers won 26-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Philip Rivers;Shaun Hill

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 04: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the San Diego Chargers throws a 15 yard touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers on September 4, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 26-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Charlie Whitehurst

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"I feel sorry for the guy and I think the truth needs to be told," said James Brennan, who owns Stingaree, one of the city's top hangouts for celebrities.

Brennan said he normally wouldn't comment, but felt he should after seeing Tequila's tweet in which she said she's allergic to alcohol.

"It sounds like she's allergic to the truth," Brennan told The Associated Press.

Brennan said he was not at the club Saturday night, but had spoken with every employee who dealt with Tequila and Merriman. Brennan said he was told she had shots of tequila and drank from a bottle of vodka. Brennan said Tequila requested that his brother, Shane, a manager at Stingaree, have a shot of tequila with her.

"She wasn't like falling down or anything of that nature, but she was visibly intoxicated," Brennan said.

In a tweet Sunday, Tequila said: "I am allergic to alcohol. It has been publicly known for years. That is how I got the name Tila "Tequila" cuz the irony. I cant drink."

Merriman said he met Monday morning with team president Dean Spanos and coach Norv Turner.

"They're just all supportive, hopefully that we can move on from the situation as soon as possible," Merriman said.

Merriman said he did not meet with general manager A.J. Smith.

Smith is believed to be unhappy with Merriman's various off-field activities. There's been speculation the Chargers will Merriman leave when he's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

Merriman is one of the NFL's hardest-hitting players. Nicknamed "Lights Out" for his savage hits, he has a tattoo of a switch on one of his forearms that he pretends to flip while doing his spasmodic sack dance.

He had 39 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons. The three-time Pro Bowl selection has been getting back into shape after having season-ending knee surgery following the 2008 opener.

Merriman was suspended four games for testing positive for steroids in 2006, his second NFL season.

Star running back LaDainian Tomlinson said Merriman sought advice from key teammates. Tomlinson also said Turner addressed the team.

"He wanted us to continue to think about places we'll be, what time we're there and who we're around," Tomlinson said. "Those are the things we can control. That was kind of his point."

Turner refused to say what he said to the team. Smith didn't return a call seeking comment and a team spokesman said Spanos wasn't going to comment.

The Chargers open the season next Monday night at Oakland.

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2009-09-07 01:31:50