DUI charge dropped as Ward pleads guilty to reckless driving
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
By Ed Bouchette and Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Prosecutors in DeKalb County, Ga., dropped drunk-driving charges against Steelers receiver Hines Ward today after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
A spokesman for Ward issued a statement to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after adjudication of the July incident that resulted in his arrest in suburban Atlanta.
"We are grateful for the outcome," Ward's attorney and manager, Andy Ree, wrote in the statement. "By dropping the DUI charge, it is clear that the prosecution did not have sufficient evidence to proceed. Hines has always maintained that his ability to drive was in no way impaired and we are pleased that the facts supported his innocence. He is thankful to his legal team and to all who stood by him. Hines has a great respect for the legal system and is also grateful, in particular, to the state for the professional manner in which they handled this matter."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12053/1211862-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml#ixzz1n9BpoiYR
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I wonder if this will be an offense that could carry a suspension from the league? I also wonder if this case has factored into the Steelers decision concerning Ward and his future with the team. They may be anticipating a possible suspension for conduct issues and felt it wasn't worth bringing back a guy who had fallen on the depth chart to a #5 WR, gets paid too much money, is declining in ability, AND had a possible suspension looming that would prevent him from playing a few games.
Not bashing Ward, just curious if that could be a factor in the team's stance.
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