Plax to Plead Not Guilty on Weapon Charge

Burress was drinking, refused hospitalization
By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 30, 2008 7:03 PM CST
Plax to Plead Not Guilty on Weapon Charge
In this Feb. 4, 2008 file photo, New York Giants' wide receiver Plaxico Burress gestures number one after getting off a team bus at Giants Stadium Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.   (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)

Plaxico Burress will turn himself in to police tomorrow and plead not guilty on a felony weapon charge, the New York Daily News reports. If convicted, the New York Giant receiver—who accidentally shot himself in the leg on Friday—would face a minimum 3-1/2 year sentence for carrying an illegal, concealed handgun in New York. Fellow Giant Antonio Pierce may be indicted for allegedly hiding Burress' weapon after the incident.

Details of the shooting are coming out:

  • Guards at the Latin-themed LQ nightclub at first refused to let Burress in because of his gun, and grew nervous when he started drinking.
  • The weapon fell down Burress' pant leg as he walked to a VIP area; he fumbled for it and the gun fired through his leg, hitting no bone.
  • Burress told his friends not to call 911, and avoided going to a hospital until his wife took him in 2 hours later.
  • Burress has an expired Florida license for the handgun, but that won't hold up in a New York court.
(More Plaxico Burress stories.)

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