Coates arrested for domestic abuse
Patriots tight end pleads innocent, released on bail
Posted: Monday July 27, 1998 04:39 PM
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Coates allegedly shoved and threatened a woman |
WRENTHAM, Massachusetts (AP) -- New England Patriots
tight end Ben
Coates pleaded innocent Monday to domestic abuse charges in Wrentham
District Court.
Coates, 28, was arrested at his Franklin home Sunday night for allegedly
beating a girlfriend, police said.
The 27-year-old woman was treated and released from the hospital,
Franklin police said.
"He is absolutely innocent," defense lawyer Peter Barlow said.
Coates, free on $500 bail, declined to speak to reporters after his
arraignment. It was unclear whether the 6-foot-5-inch, 245-pound Coates
would attend training camp later in the day.
It was not clear whether the woman was Coates' current girlfriend. A
police report said she went to his home because she suspected he was having
an affair and spotted an unknown car in his driveway.
Coates allegedly became enraged and began arguing with the woman, the
report said.
Coates then allegedly shoved the woman several times, slammed her against
the hood of a car and said, "I'll knock you out," according to a statement
the woman gave to police.
Coates told police he pushed the woman to defend himself. He said they
were not dating anymore.
Patriots spokesman Don Lowery attended the court appearance and said
coach Pete Carroll would address reporters at a previously scheduled news
conference later in the day at the team's training camp in Smithfield,
Rhode Island.
Coates, who earned All-Pro recognition in each of the past two seasons
and was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the past four seasons, is the
highest paid tight end in the NFL. In 1994, he set an NFL record for
receptions by a tight end with 96. He is heading into his eighth season
with the Patriots.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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