Significant Cases

Clipped from: StarTribune.com by Margaret Zack

Injuries to Troy Lamont Jones, who fought three Minnesota Vikings players outside the Tabu nightclub in Minneapolis last month, were not severe enough to merit felony assault charges, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar said Thursday. She said she has referred the case to the Minneapolis city attorney’s office for possible misdemeanor charges. Klobuchar said that Jones had “substantial bruising” from the fight, but worse injuries such as broken bones are needed for felony charges.

Vikings linebackers E.J. Henderson and Michael Nattiel, both 23, and tight end Steven Farmer, 24, who has since been released by the team, were arrested about 2 a.m. on June 6. Nattiel’s uncle also was arrested. According to a police report, the four men continued to kick, punch and stomp on Jones’ body and head after the 32-year-old Brooklyn Center man was knocked unconscious. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, where he was treated and released.

“This was abhorrent behavior, not what we want happening on our streets,” Klobuchar said. “It now is before the city attorney for misdemeanors.” City spokeswoman Sara Dietrich said she would review the case and “make a charging decision as quickly as possible.” Attorney Bill Mauzy, who represents the Vikings players, said he was pleased that Klobuchar declined to prosecute. “Based on what we know, the injuries were not substantial,” he said. He said his investigation showed that Farmer was assaulted first and the Vikings came to his defense. “It’s difficult to sort out individual culpability in the midst of mayhem,” he said. He said he will talk to the city attorney about the investigation.