Maroney acquitted of marijuana charge
Laurence Maroney is ready for action after being acquitted of pot charge.
Share This Story
ST. LOUIS (AP)
Veteran NFL running back Laurence Maroney is hoping to catch on with another team after his acquittal of a misdemeanor marijuana charge in St. Louis, his attorney said Wednesday.
Maroney, who grew up in St. Louis County, was among five people arrested in January for possessing marijuana. Maroney was charged in March and opted for a jury trial.
But at a hearing Tuesday, after two police officers testified, defense attorney Scott Rosenblum asked Circuit Judge Elizabeth Byrne Hogan for a directed verdict, saying prosecutors failed to meet the burden of proof in the case. The judge agreed and found Maroney not guilty.
''It's unusual because it hardly ever happens,'' Rosenblum said of the directed verdict. ''The judge is saying the case doesn't need to go any further because, based on the evidence, the state hasn't made a case.''
Messages seeking comment from the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office were not returned.
The 26-year-old Maroney was chosen by New England as the 21st overall pick in the 2006 draft. In four seasons with the Patriots, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry with 21 touchdown runs, and 10.2 yards per reception with one touchdown catch. His best season was 2009, when he set career highs with 194 carries and nine touchdowns.
He was traded to Denver for a fourth-round draft pick on Sept. 14, 2010. He was injured when he arrived with the Broncos and played in just four games last season, rushing 36 times for 74 yards, a 2.1-yard average. He didn't play in the final 10 games and was deactivated for the last eight. His contract was not renewed.
Rosenblum said Maroney has two workouts lined up, though he would not name the teams. He said the acquittal will help his chances of landing back in the NFL.
''He needed it to move forward,'' Rosenblum said. ''It's a different situation when you're a free agent.''
Maroney claimed innocence from the start following his arrest, even going on St. Louis radio stations to say he did nothing wrong.
Police said that around 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 17, officers saw three vehicles near Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University causing traffic to slow because the vehicles repeatedly stopped so occupants could talk to people on the street. When officers approached, they reportedly smelled marijuana.
Officers also found three guns inside one of the vehicles, police said at the time. Maroney was not charged with a weapons violation.
All told, five men were arrested for marijuana possession. It wasn't immediately clear how many were formally charged.
Maroney was a standout at Normandy High School in St. Louis County, and has remained active in the St. Louis community during his NFL career, frequently participating in charitable efforts.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Police: Ex-champ Tapia found dead
Johnny Tapia, the five-time boxing champion whose turbulent career was marked by coca... -
Two killed as rally car strikes crowd
A race car went out of control on a rural Irish road and crashed into a crowd of abou... -
Trainer: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says. -
Roddick doesn't deserve all this blame
We can't hold Roddick to unfair standard any longer. -
Federer hits milestone at French Open
Roger Federer tied Jimmy Connors' Open era record of 233 Grand Slam match wins by bea...
NFL Videos
Schrager: Settle down everyone
Posted: May 23, 2012
Peter Schrager talks about Peyton Manning's first practice and Tim Tebow's contr...
Peter Schrager talks about Peyton Manning's first practice and Tim Tebow's contr...
Jackson looks back
Posted: May 22, 2012
Laura Okmin sits down with Rams RB Steven Jackson about life on and off the fiel...
Laura Okmin sits down with Rams RB Steven Jackson about life on and off the fiel...
Glazer: LT unaware ring for sale
Posted: May 18, 2012
Jay Glazer says Lawrence Taylor was unaware his Super Bowl XXV ring was put up f...
Jay Glazer says Lawrence Taylor was unaware his Super Bowl XXV ring was put up f...
NFL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/792884/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_792000/ff_792884_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold |
| Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/799723/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_799000/ff_799723_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green |
| Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Arizona_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/800436/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800436_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red |
| Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/801105/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801105_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue |
| New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/803136/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_803000/ff_803136_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue |
| Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/819243/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_819000/ff_819243_xl.jpg&w=100 | 31.95 | Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Indianapolis_Colts/browse/featuredproduct/851313/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851313_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue |
| Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Washington_Redskins/browse/featuredproduct/851315/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851315_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy |
| Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Cleveland_Browns/browse/featuredproduct/851598/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851598_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown |
| Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/852589/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_852000/ff_852589_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.