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Lindsey ThiryESPN
The lawyer representing De’Vincent Spriggs, the man who allegedly assaulted Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles Rams’ linebacker, earlier this week, now apologizes to Donald on behalf of his client.
Prosecutor Todd J. Hollis told Pittsburgh television KDKA on Friday evening that Spriggs confused his attacker in front of a nightclub in the Pittsburgh area with Donald.
The apologies come on the same day a lawyer hired by Donald rejected Spriggs’ claim that Donald was involved in the assault. Donald’s lawyer Casey White told ESPN Friday morning that Spriggs threw a bottle at Donald who was grazing his head as he was about to dodge, before other people around him entered.
“As he dodges, someone behind him grabs him to prevent him from interacting with this guy, Mr. Spriggs, so he holds Aaron back in a sense,” White said. “Right now, it’s when other people come to Aaron’s aid and defend him by eliminating, so to speak, Mr. Spriggs from the area where he’s beaten and fighting; it’s a mutual fight right now among others. individuals that Aaron doesn’t really know. “
White said they have obtained at least five witness statements and that there are others who have come forward willing to testify. White also said video surveillance of the area did not show Donald assaulting Spriggs and that Donald finally helped drive people away from Spriggs.
“Actually, Aaron runs over [Spriggs’] help and start ripping people off this guy, “White said.” He’s trying to get these kids out of Spriggs; he pulls out at least two or three people from Spriggs, and at that moment someone grabs Aaron and says, “It’s not a good situation, let’s get it out.”
Hollis filed a criminal complaint on behalf of his client, Spriggs, with Pittsburgh police Wednesday, saying Donald and others assaulted his 26-year-old client at an out-of-hours club last weekend. Hollis said Spriggs needed 16 stitches and suffered a broken orbital bone, a broken nose, a concussion and a twisted or broken arm.
The alleged attack took place around 3 a.m. Sunday, Hollis said, and the lawyer posted a photo showing Spriggs with facial injuries and swelling.
According to Hollis, Spriggs accidentally ran into Donald and there was an incident inside the nightclub that prompted the departure of both parties. White said Spriggs dug his elbow into Donald’s back, which Donald initially avoided thinking he was probably someone he knew.
“He turned around and it’s this Mr. Spriggs … and Aaron says, ‘What’s up?’ “and Mr. Spriggs begins to shout belligerently,” Did you mean? Did you mean? ”He keeps repeating, it’s a bit absurd, but he keeps shouting,“ Did I mean? ”It’s obvious to Aaron and it’s obvious to all the witnesses. [Spriggs] he’s intoxicated, ”White said.
White said Spriggs was escorted out of the establishment, which he described as “a private party in someone’s apartment,” on top of a business bar area. According to White, Donald and a teammate left the game shortly after, where they met Spriggs in the starting alley.
White said he does not anticipate Pittsburgh police filing charges against Donald. The Rams released a statement saying they are aware of reports of Donald, who is a three-time NFL defensive player of the year and has been a seven-time Pro Bowl selection with 85.5 career sacks.
“We are gathering more information and we will have no further comments at this time,” the Rams statement said.
Donald, 29, is a native of Pittsburgh and was a star player at Pitt University, where he often trains during the offseason. The Rams selected Donald with the 13th overall selection in the 2014 draft. He is in the midst of a six-year, $ 135 million overtime.