grant still training with saints

ssmitty · 05-21-2008, 07:00 PM

Grant still training with Saints

By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer

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METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- Charles Grant participated in an offseason training session at the New Orleans Saints' suburban headquarters on Wednesday, a day after being indicted by a grand jury in Georgia on an involuntary manslaughter charge.

"Obviously it's something we take very seriously and certainly our condolences go out to the family" of the victim, Saints coach Sean Payton said. "What's most important is the justice system taking it's process. It's something the league will handle and certainly the state of Georgia will handle."

The charges stem from a February altercation at a nightclub.

Grant, who was stabbed in the neck during the fracas, was charged by an Early County grand jury that also charged Laquient Macklin with felony murder and feticide in the shooting death of Korynda Reed, 23. Reed died after being taken to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, after the fight early Feb. 3.

Grant, a starting defensive end who was taken by the Saints in the first round of the 2002 draft, was not available for comment. The Saints planned to open their locker room for player comments later Wednesday afternoon but it was not clear if Grant would be there.

Grant's attorney, Edward Tolley of Athens, Ga., said Grant never should have been charged in the victim's death.

"Charles is not alleged to have fired the weapon that killed (Reed) so the circumstances of the indictment are unique," Tolley said. "We, of course, dispute that he should have been charged because he did not shoot a gun. He did not cause the death of the person that died and we believe that we can prove that.

"It was only alleged he was in a fight and it's a pretty good leap in logic to charge Charles (in the shooting death), but they did, so we have to deal with it," Tolley continued.

Tolley said Grant plans to turn himself in and post bond on Thursday, then return to New Orleans soon after so he can participate in Saints minicamp at the end of this month.

Payton said he also expected Grant to be at minicamp unless legal matters cause a scheduling conflict.

"The bottom line is they're very serious charges and we're going to support him right now and do our best to help him and help the league and help the state of Georgia with their investigation," Payton said. "We know Charles has been available and made an effort to do everything just as they want and certainly that would be our advice to him and it becomes a league and a state matter right now."

Woodrow Gray was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault in the knife attack on Grant, a former University of Georgia star from nearby Colquitt.

Grant had 2 1/2 sacks in 2007 while starting 14 games for the Saints and has 38 1/2 sacks over his six-year career.

In addition to Grant and Macklin, Marshae Stromer, Anthony Wilson, Jarvis Tinson, Rodreaco Gray and Woodrow Gray were charged with involuntary manslaughter for alleged participation in the fight.

Grant also received misdemeanor fighting charges.

"On Charles' behalf, we're sorry for the family" of the shooting victim, Tolley said. "Charles is a very generous man. He's given a lot of his time to many charitable organizations and does not have a history of criminal conduct, so it's particularly disturbing that he's been caught up in this."

hagan714 · 05-21-2008, 07:31 PM

Main point:
"What's most important is the justice system taking it's process. It's something the league will handle and certainly the state of Georgia will handle."

Lets see if the shot gun approach the prosecutor is using will hit the right person.

lynwood · 05-21-2008, 07:54 PM

Geez the only person not charged is victim. They know who fired the gun, did the rest of the guys hold her down? Should be an interesting court case.

Turbo Saint · 05-21-2008, 08:06 PM

gotta love the injustice system. sounds brilliant.

jeanpierre · 05-22-2008, 12:22 AM

It may have been Grant's Posse Packing Alot US that did the shooting, so if you go into a situation with people you know may pull a gun and discharge said gun on your behalf, well the law says...

or, as Judge Dread Stallone would say

I am de Law

and all Hell breaks loose...

saintsrule · 05-22-2008, 03:30 PM

I hope he gets this over with, and can play this season. I know what this is really about, and I know he didn't do anything wrong.

05-21-2008, 07:00 PM	#1
ssmitty 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,879	grant still training with saints Grant still training with Saints By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer Advertisement METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- Charles Grant participated in an offseason training session at the New Orleans Saints' suburban headquarters on Wednesday, a day after being indicted by a grand jury in Georgia on an involuntary manslaughter charge. "Obviously it's something we take very seriously and certainly our condolences go out to the family" of the victim, Saints coach Sean Payton said. "What's most important is the justice system taking it's process. It's something the league will handle and certainly the state of Georgia will handle." The charges stem from a February altercation at a nightclub. Grant, who was stabbed in the neck during the fracas, was charged by an Early County grand jury that also charged Laquient Macklin with felony murder and feticide in the shooting death of Korynda Reed, 23. Reed died after being taken to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, after the fight early Feb. 3. Grant, a starting defensive end who was taken by the Saints in the first round of the 2002 draft, was not available for comment. The Saints planned to open their locker room for player comments later Wednesday afternoon but it was not clear if Grant would be there. Grant's attorney, Edward Tolley of Athens, Ga., said Grant never should have been charged in the victim's death. "Charles is not alleged to have fired the weapon that killed (Reed) so the circumstances of the indictment are unique," Tolley said. "We, of course, dispute that he should have been charged because he did not shoot a gun. He did not cause the death of the person that died and we believe that we can prove that. "It was only alleged he was in a fight and it's a pretty good leap in logic to charge Charles (in the shooting death), but they did, so we have to deal with it," Tolley continued. Tolley said Grant plans to turn himself in and post bond on Thursday, then return to New Orleans soon after so he can participate in Saints minicamp at the end of this month. Payton said he also expected Grant to be at minicamp unless legal matters cause a scheduling conflict. "The bottom line is they're very serious charges and we're going to support him right now and do our best to help him and help the league and help the state of Georgia with their investigation," Payton said. "We know Charles has been available and made an effort to do everything just as they want and certainly that would be our advice to him and it becomes a league and a state matter right now." Woodrow Gray was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault in the knife attack on Grant, a former University of Georgia star from nearby Colquitt. Grant had 2 1/2 sacks in 2007 while starting 14 games for the Saints and has 38 1/2 sacks over his six-year career. In addition to Grant and Macklin, Marshae Stromer, Anthony Wilson, Jarvis Tinson, Rodreaco Gray and Woodrow Gray were charged with involuntary manslaughter for alleged participation in the fight. Grant also received misdemeanor fighting charges. "On Charles' behalf, we're sorry for the family" of the shooting victim, Tolley said. "Charles is a very generous man. He's given a lot of his time to many charitable organizations and does not have a history of criminal conduct, so it's particularly disturbing that he's been caught up in this."
ssmitty 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,879

05-21-2008, 07:31 PM	#2
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: grant still training with saints Main point: "What's most important is the justice system taking it's process. It's something the league will handle and certainly the state of Georgia will handle." Lets see if the shot gun approach the prosecutor is using will hit the right person.
	Last edited by hagan714; 05-21-2008 at 08:03 PM..

05-21-2008, 07:54 PM	#3
lynwood 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hockley, Tx Posts: 1,515	Re: grant still training with saints Geez the only person not charged is victim. They know who fired the gun, did the rest of the guys hold her down? Should be an interesting court case.

05-21-2008, 08:06 PM	#4
Turbo Saint SoCal Saint Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: OB - San Diego, CA Posts: 726	Re: grant still training with saints gotta love the injustice system. sounds brilliant.

05-22-2008, 12:22 AM	#5
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: grant still training with saints It may have been Grant's Posse Packing Alot US that did the shooting, so if you go into a situation with people you know may pull a gun and discharge said gun on your behalf, well the law says... or, as Judge Dread Stallone would say I am de Law and all Hell breaks loose...

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05-22-2008, 03:30 PM	#6
saintsrule 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 657	Re: grant still training with saints I hope he gets this over with, and can play this season. I know what this is really about, and I know he didn't do anything wrong.
saintsrule 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 657