Antonio Brown’s situation has just become more complicated than it already was. Following his arrest and return to the United States, the former NFL star was arraigned this Monday in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, where the district attorney confirmed that Brown faces a much longer sentence than initially speculated.
Brown’s saga began on May 16 at a celebrity boxing event in Miami. An altercation ended with the former player grabbing a security guard’s gun and shooting another man twice.
After the incident, the former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver fled to Dubai. However, Florida police tracked him down and extradited him to face trial in the United States.
On Monday, the arraignment hearing was held, where Assistant State Attorney Stephanie Cruz confirmed the charges and the potential sentence the player faces if found guilty.
Brown’s arraingment hearing
According to the Associated Press, Brown appeared at the hearing via video conference. His attorney, Mark Eiglarish, confirmed that the player had already filed a plea of not guilty.
Cruz, for her part, confirmed that Brown faces charges of second-degree attempted murder. Although the penalty for this crime is usually 15 years, Brown’s case has aggravating circumstances that could double the sentence.
According to the assistant state attorney, since a firearm was involved in the incident, the sentence could be up to 30 years. Furthermore, the fact that the weapon was discharged raises the mandatory minimum sentence to 20 years.
In a previous hearing, Eiglarish denied that Brown took a security guard’s gun. He asserted that the former player used his own weapon in self-defense against an alleged robbery attempt, and that the shots were not aimed at anyone.
When will Brown go to trial?
Judge Marisa Tinkler-Mendez has not set a trial date, but she tentatively scheduled a status hearing for December 22. Brown did not speak during today’s arraignment.
The former player is under house arrest after being released from jail last week on $25,000 bail. He is also required to wear a GPS ankle monitor.
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