Burress posts bail
NEW YORK — It was just 10 months ago that Plaxico Burress became an instant New York sports hero after his clutch performance in the Super Bowl. But on Monday, Burress was hauled out of a police precinct in handcuffs facing two weapons charges that could send him to jail.
His season and future with the Giants is in doubt.
Authorities also said teammate Antonio Pierce was being investigated over his role in the episode, in which Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg with what authorities say was an illegal .40-caliber Glock pistol.
Police want to talk to Pierce about whether he helped cover up the shooting.
"It was a universe of silence after this shooting," said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.
Burress posted $100,000 bail and was told by the judge that his next appearance won't be until March 31. In the meantime, the Giants and the NFL will have to make a decision about what to do with the trouble-prone wide receiver.
Burress did not say anything in court Monday and did not make a statement to the NYPD when he was booked at a midtown precinct. His lawyer stressed that Burress is innocent until proven guilty and denied Burress took part in any sort of cover-up.
"He is standing tall. He is a mature adult," said Benjamin Brafman, his defense lawyer. "I think any professional athlete in this situation would be concerned."
The case also drew the wrath of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said it would be an outrage "if we didn't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law" and lashed out at the hospital for allegedly failing to report the shooting to the authorities.
Burress shot himself in the right thigh in the VIP section of the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan about 1 a.m. Saturday, police said. He did not have a permit to carry a handgun in New York.
