Football

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Grand jury hears Vikings' Peterson, dismisses misdemeanour charge

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 11/14/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Adrian Peterson (CP)

HOUSTON -- A grand jury in Houston has dismissed a misdemeanour resisting arrest charge against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson after hearing from the four-time Pro Bowler and other witnesses.

Derek Hollingsworth, one of Peterson's attorneys, said Tuesday the case stemming from Peterson's July 7 arrest outside a night club is expected to be formally dropped on Wednesday. Peterson was due in court for a pretrial hearing on Thursday before Judge Natalie Fleming.

Hollingsworth said Peterson testified before the grand jury on Tuesday and found no probable cause for prosecutors to continue.

"It's what should've happened from the get-go," Hollingsworth said. "I'm glad it happened now."

Peterson, 27, was in Houston just two days after rushing for 171 yards in the Vikings' 34-24 win over Detroit. He's rushed for more than 100 yards in four straight games and is the NFL's leading rusher this season, averaging 112.8 yards per game. The Vikings (6-4) have their open date this week.

Peterson, a native of Palestine, Texas, was handcuffed and briefly jailed after the confrontation outside the club with an off-duty police officer. He was released on a $1,000 bond.

Police said Peterson shoved the officer, who was working security and asked Peterson and his companions to leave the club, which was closed. Peterson said in court a week after the incident that he "didn't push, shove, touch anything to anyone that night, especially an officer."

Last season, Peterson ran for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns before tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee Dec. 24. The injury-shortened season broke a streak of four straight with at least 1,200 yards rushing.

The former Oklahoma star was drafted seventh overall by Minnesota in 2007.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 14, 2012 C6

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