Pittman faces 6 felony charges

[Gunzlingr]

Buccaneers | Police and Courts: RB Michael Pittman - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 1 Jun 2003 12:42:39 -0700

The Tampa Tribune reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Michael Pittman is facing six felony counts after allegedly running his Hummer into his wife’s Mercedes in Phoenix on Saturday, May 31. Pittman, according to the police, was handcuffed and jailed after the incident. He was reportedly having an argument with his wife over their son. The Mercedes had his wife, Melissa, their son, Mycah, and their baby-sitter, Kristin Hegland, within it. No one was hurt in the crash. Pittman is already on probation for a domestic violence incident that involved his wife and he was arrested twice in 2001 on domestic violence charges.


Better sources will be cited, when available.

[Ebenezer]

ooopppsss...his fantasy value just fell to the ground.

[Gunzlingr]

PHOENIX (AP) -- Super Bowl star Michael Pittman of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was arrested after police say he rammed a car carrying his wife, their son and the baby sitter. No one was hurt.

Pittman faces felony charges after he rammed his Hummer into his wife's Mercedes in the upscale, gated community where they live, police said Sunday.

Phoenix police said Pittman was booked on six felony counts. He has since been released. The county attorney will determine whether charges will be filed.

The Buccaneers had no immediate comment, team spokesman Jeff Kamis said.

A message left for Pittman's agent, Thomas Condon, was not immediately returned Sunday.

more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/06/01/pittman_arrested_ap/)

[Cntrygal]

What an idiot! :mad:

[Mr. Miyagi]

Originally posted by Ebenezer
ooopppsss...his fantasy value just fell to the ground.
Character has nothing to do with fantasy value. Wasn't Randy Moss everyone's #1 or #2 WR pick last season?

[Ebenezer]

Originally posted by Mr. Miyagi

Character has nothing to do with fantasy value. Wasn't Randy Moss everyone's #1 or #2 WR pick last season?

Read again...Pittman faces 6 felony charges...he could be doing serious jail time (although I don't think he will)...Moss never had that hanging over his head. Pittman also has a coach that will cut him in a heart beat.

[Valerie]

Gosh, what a shame. I just don't get these guys. They all turn to violence against women. It's like they have something to prove. Like they have to show their significant others that they can and will beat you up if they see a need for it. They think they're so macho, beating up on women. Pathetic! I hope he spends time in jail! There's never any reason to hit a woman, IMHO. Or try ramming your HUGE hummer into her little Mercedes. :down: What an ass!

[Earthquake Enyart]

I'm sure the ***** deserved it.

Wonder what they'll give us for Henry? :snicker:

[Gunzlingr]

There is no more intimidating sight among the Bucs than Michael Pittman flexing his biceps. Unless it's Pittman ramming his Hummer into your car.

His wife has seen them both. The question now becomes, what will Tampa Bay do about its Super Bowl running hero?

Police booked Pittman on six felony counts Saturday after he plowed his SUV into his wife's Mercedes outside their Phoenix home. He was released from jail and has not yet been charged by prosecutors. The couple's 2-year-old son was in the car, along with a baby-sitter.

At least Pittman wasn't driving fast enough to hurt anyone. Right now, that appears to be the best thing you can say in his defense.

It's usually too easy to take the moral high ground when it comes to domestic violence. Yell "Off with their heads!" and show no understanding.

So by all means, let Pittman keep his head. Just not in Tampa Bay, or anywhere else until he gets his noggin together.

more (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/columnists/orl-sptwhitley02060203jun02,0,1438518.column?coll=orl%2Dsports%2Dcol)

[Valerie]

Good! I hope they let him go. And, I hope that the rest of the NFL uses their heads and doesn't sign him. He's a menace to society and doesn't deserve to be in the spotlight. I think his time would be better spent in counseling!

[Ebenezer]

Did I not say his fantasy value went crashing??

[Gunzlingr]

TAMPA - Three days after being arrested on six felony counts, Michael Pittman will join his teammates on the practice field today for another round of organized team activities.
While the Bucs running back awaits formal charges following his fourth domestic violence arrest, Pittman's future, both on and off the field, remains uncertain.

Pittman was arrested Saturday in Phoenix after he drove his Hummer into his wife's Mercedes, in which she and the couple's 2-year-old son and a babysitter were riding. No one was injured, but Pittman was booked on six felony charges, three counts of aggravated assault and three counts of reckless endangerment.

Pittman, who keeps an off- season residence in Phoenix, was released from jail Sunday and departed for Tampa.

``I would like to sincerely apologize for any embarrassment that has been placed on my family, my coaches and teammates, and our fans,'' Pittman said in a statement released by the Bucs. ``I realize these circumstances have placed some unnecessary and negative attention on the Buccaneers organization. I certainly look forward to being able to tell my side of the story.''

more (http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGACRDL6HGD.html)

[The_Philster]

Tampa Bay Bucs running back Michael Pittman apologized Monday for his arrest in Arizona two days ago after police say he rammed a car carrying his wife, their son and a baby sitter.

No one was hurt in the accident Saturday near Pittman's home in Phoenix. The county attorney's office will determine whether charges will be filed against Pittman.

"I realize these circumstances have placed some unnecessary and negative attention on the Buccaneers' organization,'' Pittman said in a statement. "I certainly look forward to being able to tell my side of the story.''...

more (http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2003/0602/1562226.html)

[The_Philster]

Tempe prosecutor looking at incident
Michael Pittman could go from the ultimate high of winning a Super Bowl ring to the ultimate low of serving 10 months in jail.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back is at risk of serving a jail sentence following his latest arrest on suspicion of domestic violence charges Saturday, when his wife told Phoenix police that he rammed her Mercedes-Benz with his Hummer at their Ahwatukee Foothills home.

Tempe City Prosecutor Robert Hubbard said his office will order a copy of a Phoenix police report detailing the incident and decide whether to file a petition asking a Tempe Municipal Court judge to revoke Pittman's probation on two July 2001 domestic violence convictions....more (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0603pittman0603.html)

[The_Philster]

TAMPA - Bucs running back Michael Pittman was formally charged Wednesday, four days after he was arrested in Phoenix on six felony counts when police said he rammed his Hummer into his wife's Mercedes, which she and the couple's 2-year-old son and a babysitter were riding.
Pittman was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, both Class 3 felonies, in a complaint filed in the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. If convicted, he faces a minimum of five years in jail and a maximum of 15 years. ...

more (http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGA3NUNSJGD.html)

[The_Philster]

B ucs running back Michael Pittman was officially back in business - stretching, running sprints, taking handoffs, catching passes out of the backfield.
Or so we're told.

Nobody from the media actually saw these things. When the Bucs convened for Tuesday morning's voluntary workouts, Pittman and his teammates worked behind tarpaulin-lined fences. No peeking was allowed. Pittman was off the field, well before he could be spotted or photographed....

more (http://www.tampatrib.com/Sports/MGACJ1RQIGD.html)

[The_Philster]

In capturing the Super Bowl XXXVII title last season, the Tampa Bay Bucs beat the odds, becoming one of the few teams in recent NFL history to win a championship despite not featuring a 1,000-yard rusher and with a tailback-by-committee approach.

Two different backs, Michael Pittman and Mike Alstott, each had more than 140 carries and Aaron Stecker contributed as a third-down back. But even that committee approach might be better than what the Bucs could face this year if Pittman is sanctioned by the NFL for an incident last weekend in which he allegedly rammed the car of his wife, while their son was a passenger, with his Hummer...
more (http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1564103.html)

[The_Philster]

TAMPA - Monetarily, the Bucs have options with Michael Pittman, who is in legal limbo after his May 31 arrest.
Phoenix police said the running back rammed his Hummer into his wife's Mercedes, in which she, the couple's 2-year-old son and a babysitter were riding. Pittman has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, a Class 3 dangerous felony.

According to Pittman's contract, the Bucs would take a $1.4 million cap hit if they cut him. Because it's after June 1, that total would be split, counting only $700,000 this season and $700,000 next year....
more (http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGAVX5ROSGD.html)

[The_Philster]

Melissa Pittman won't press charges, but the state might. The Bucs starting running back still faces a probation hearing.
TAMPA - Melissa Pittman, the wife of Bucs running back Michael Pittman, told Phoenix prosecutors Tuesday she does not intend to press charges against her husband and hopes the state will follow the lead, her attorney Ed Brennan said.

In the meantime, a hearing to review whether Pittman violated the terms of his three-year probation, stemming from two misdemeanor convictions in 2001, has been set for June 18 in a Tempe municipal court.

"Melissa has made the determination that she does not want to proceed with the criminal charges, at all," Brennan said. "She hopes the state will drop the charges so that she and Michael can move on. She is an extremely strong person who has a lot of religious faith and believes that in the frailty of humanity people make mistakes and can correct those mistakes."...

more (http://www.sptimes.com/2003/06/11/Bucs/Pittman_s_wife_won_t_.shtml)

[The_Philster]

TAMPA - Bucs running back Michael Pittman's probation violation hearing, originally scheduled for today in Tempe, Ariz., has been moved to July 2.
Because of a court conflict, Pittman's attorney, Phil Noland, was granted a continuance.

Tempe prosecutor Robert Hubbard will argue in a municipal court that Pittman's indictment on two counts of aggravated assault stemming from his May 31 arrest violated the terms of his probation....

more (http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGARV93L2HD.html)

[The_Philster]

TAMPA - It could be another month before a judge decides whether Bucs running back Michael Pittman violated the terms of his probation by ramming his Hummer into his wife's car during an argument May 31.
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Wednesday in Tempe, Ariz., but attorneys on both sides of the issue said Monday that a verdict will not be reached at that time.

``This is simply the first hearing; it's more like an arraignment,'' said Joel Thompson, who recently replaced Philip Noland as Pittman's defense attorney. ``This is simply to make Michael aware of what it is the prosecution alleges he did to violate probation.'' ...
more (http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGAA8BHALHD.html)

[marshall]

He is a great RB too. I don't see why someone of his status would screw it up. After having a great season in TB he is probably going to get cut.

[The_Philster]

TAMPA - Michael Pittman's hopes of enjoying an uninterrupted first two weeks of training camp with the Bucs were dealt a setback Thursday when his probation revocation hearing was scheduled for July 21.
With the hearing coming three days after the Bucs are to report for training camp in Lake Buena Vista, Pittman's attorney said he will seek a continuance in an effort to keep Pittman on the field....

more (http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGAZPUYMPHD.html)

[The_Philster]

TAMPA - Bucs running back Michael Pittman likely will be on a practice field at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex and not in court July 21, the date of his probation revocation hearing in Tempe, Ariz.
Pittman's attorney said Tuesday he will waive Pittman's presence for that proceeding, even though it will prohibit Pittman from personally denying any wrongdoing.

``I've got a motion ready to file for a continuance, and I don't anticipate having any trouble getting it,'' Joel Thompson said. ...more (http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGAZ367PWHD.html)

[Gunzlingr]

Bucs running back Michael Pittman will be in court this morning in Phoenix, asking a judge to end an injunction that has limited his contact with his wife since he was arrested on assault charges six weeks ago.

Pittman, who also will seek permission to leave the country to travel with the team to Tokyo in three weeks, has been prohibited from initiating contact with his wife, Melissa, since May 30. That is when police say he used his Hummer to ram her Mercedes-Benz, with her, their 2-year-old son and an 18-year-old babysitter inside. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

"Michael and Melissa want to be together," said Tampa attorney Edward Brennan, who represents Melissa. "They have a family together, and they don't want to have an injunction in place that prohibits that or limits that. The goal is to reunite the family."

more (http://www.sptimes.com/2003/07/10/Bucs/Bucs__Pittman_seeks_p.shtml)

[The_Philster]

Bucs make it seem like RB has worn out his welcome
Whether he sees jail time in connection with his offseason arrest on felony assault charges or not, running back Michael Pittman's chances of finishing this season with Tampa Bay aren't very good.

For that matter, Pittman may be a long shot to even finish the preseason as a Buc. Tampa Bay officials aren't saying that in so many words, but that's the clear impression you're left with after talking with team sources, even as the NFL's defending champions reported for training camp Friday at Disney World in Central Florida.

Pittman's status with the team has been in question since May 30, when police in suburban Phoenix say the Bucs' leading rusher used his Hummer to ram his wife's Mercedes-Benz, with her, the couple's 2-year-old son and the family's babysitter in the car. Pittman has a history of domestic violence, and is on probation stemming from a 2001 incident involving his wife....
more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/don_banks/news/2003/07/18/banks_insider/)

[The_Philster]

Bucs running back Michael Pittman won't have to stand trial on felony assault charges in Arizona until January, but his alleged victims now face more pressing matters with court authorities.

Arrest warrants were issued Wednesday for Pittman's wife, Melissa, and the family's babysitter, Kristina Hegland, who had been subpoenaed to appear at Pittman's pretrial conference and were cited for failing to appear. Pittman is accused of using his Hummer to ram a Mercedes-Benz in May with his wife, their 2-year-old son and Hegland inside.

"It is not unusual for victims in domestic violence cases not to participate," Maricopa County Attorney's Office spokesman Bill FitzGerald told the Arizona Republic. "It appears unusual, to some degree, to issue a bench warrant."...

more (http://www.sptimes.com/2003/09/04/Bucs/Pittman_s_wife__babys.shtml)

[Cntrygal]

Michael Pittman won't lose his role as the featured running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of the legal problems that are dogging him.
Thomas Jones just might take it away.

Jones was acquired this summer as part of a contingency plan -- an insurance policy -- in case Pittman's legal problems caused him to miss playing time. But Jones has become considerably more valuable now to the Buccaneers.


more... (http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/story/7402383p-8321699c.html)

[The_Philster]

Running back Michael Pittman has an arraignment Tuesday in Arizona on a new felony charge that targets accused repeat offenders of domestic violence.

Pittman, who faces a trial in January on two felony counts of aggravated assault, was indicted last week on a felony charge of aggravated domestic violence stemming from the same incident in May.

The charge, issued against Pittman on Sept. 23, may be used in cases where the defendant has been convicted of multiple domestic violence charges within a five-year period. It is a Class 5 felony in Arizona and carries a mandatory four-month jail sentence upon conviction....

more (http://www.sptimes.com/2003/10/03/Bucs/Pittman_is_facing_new.shtml)


Can't he stay out of trouble at all?

[The_Philster]

PHOENIX (AP) -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman faces an additional felony charge in connection with an argument with his wife that resulted in two aggravated assault charges.

Pittman was indicted in June on two counts of aggravated assault for ramming his Hummer into a car carrying his wife, Melissa, his 2-year-old son, and a baby sitter on May 31 near Pittman's home in Phoenix.

No one was hurt, but the crash pushed the car over a median and tore one of the tires from its rim....more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/football/nfl/10/07/bc.fbn.pittman.assault.ap/index.html)