Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Byfuglien likely headed to trial

INDIANAPOLIS -- Dustin Byfuglien is likely headed to trial but his lawyer says he'll beat the most serious charges filed against the Jets all-star defenceman.

"I'll win," said Minneapolis attorney Mitch Robinson. "I'll beat the boating while impaired charge and the refusal to give a chemical sample. They might win on the operating a boat without lights charge because technically he was stopped 21 minutes after sundown. And they likely have a case on the charge of not enough life preservers on board."

Robinson met with a judge and Hennepin County district attorneys on Thursday morning to try and settle the case but they weren't able to reach a conclusion.

"We're miles apart. We'll meet again on April 19 to set a trial date unless we can settle the case in the interim but I'm not hopeful about that," said Robinson. "They want him to agree to the refusal charge and I want them to agree to the operating without lights charge. It doesn't look promising that we'll settle."

Neither Byfuglien or the Jets offered any comment on the first settlement conference held Thursday after the team's game-day skate in advance of tonight's game against the Tampa Lightning, choosing instead to let the discussions between Robinson, the district attorney and judge continue.

History

Updated on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 12:01 PM CST: adds no comment from Jets, Byfuglien

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Claude Noel on the Jets' disappointing last game of the season

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • A Great Horned Owl that was caught up in some soccer nets in Shamrock Park in Southdale on November 16th was rehabilitated and returned to the the city park behind Shamrock School and released this afternoon. Sequence of the release. December 4, 2012  BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
  • A mother goose has chosen a rather busy spot to nest her eggs- in the parking lot of St Vital Centre on a boulevard. Countless cars buzz by and people have begun to bring it food.-Goose Challenge Day 06 - May 08, 2012   (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

View More Gallery Photos

Poll

Who do you think will win their series in NHL's second round of playoffs?

View Results

Ads by Google