Lawyer says client mistook Rams’ Aaron Donald for attacker, apologizes

The attorney representing De’Vincent Spriggs, the man who accused Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald earlier this week, is now apologizing to Donald on behalf of his client.

Attorney Todd J. Hollis told Pittsburgh television station KDKA Friday night that Spriggs mistook his attacker outside a Pittsburgh nightclub for Donald.

The apology comes the same day when a lawyer hired by Donald refuted Spriggs’ claim that Donald was involved in the attack. Casey White, Donald’s attorney, told ESPN on Friday morning that Spriggs waved a bottle at Donald who grazed his head as he bent down, before other people stepped around Donald.

“As he dives away, someone from behind is grabbing him to keep him from hanging out with this man, Mr. Spriggs, so in a way he’s holding Aaron back,” White said. “At that point, other people come to Aaron’s aid and defend him by, so to speak, removing Mr. Spriggs from the area where he is beaten and he fights; it is a mutual fight at this point between other individuals that Aaron knows. not really. “

White said they have obtained at least five witness statements and others who have come forward are willing to make statements. White also said video surveillance from the area did not show Donald attacking Spriggs and that Donald ultimately helped pull people away from Spriggs.

Aaron actually runs over [Spriggs’] help and start jerking people off this man, “White said.” He’s trying to get these kids off Spriggs; he takes at least two or three people off Spriggs and at that point someone grabs Aaron and says, “This is not a good situation, let’s get out of here.” ‘

Hollis filed a criminal complaint with Pittsburgh Police on behalf of his client, Spriggs, on Wednesday, saying Donald and others assaulted his 26-year-old client at a nightclub last weekend. Hollis said Spriggs needed 16 stitches and had a broken eye socket, a broken nose, a concussion, and a sprained or broken arm.

The alleged attack occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Hollis said, and the attorney released a photo showing Spriggs with facial injuries and swelling.

According to Hollis, Spriggs ran into Donald by accident and an incident at the nightclub ensued that prompted both parties to leave. White said Spriggs dug his elbow into Donald’s back, which Donald initially waved away thinking it was probably someone he knew.

‘He turned and it’s this Mr. Spriggs … and Aaron says,’ What’s the matter? ‘and Mr. Spriggs starts to scream belligerently,’ Did I mean it? Did I mean that? ‘ He keeps repeating, it’s kinda nonsensical, but he keeps shouting, “Did I mean that?” It’s clear to Aaron and it’s clear to all witnesses that [Spriggs] is intoxicated, ”White said.

White said Spriggs was subsequently escorted from the establishment, which he described as “a private party in someone’s apartment” above a business bar. According to White, Donald and a colleague left the party shortly afterwards, where they ran into Spriggs in the alley behind the exit.

White said he does not expect Pittsburgh police to press charges against Donald. The Rams have released a statement saying they are aware of the reports of Donald being three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time Pro Bowl roster with 85.5 career packs.

“We are collecting more information and will not comment further at this time,” the Rams statement said.

Donald, 29, is from Pittsburgh and was a star player in Pitt, where he often trains during the off-season. The Rams selected Donald with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 draft. He is in the middle of a six-year extension of $ 135 million.