New England Patriots safety Jabril Peppers pleaded not guilty Monday after his arrest on assault, strangulation, drug possession and other charges.
Police in Braintree, Massachusetts, said they were called to a disturbance at a home early Saturday after Peppers allegedly attacked his girlfriend after she received a phone call. He allegedly knocked the woman down, slammed her head against a wall, pushed her down a flight of stairs and strangled her before throwing her out of the house.
He was arrested at the scene without incident and reportedly nodded and said “I know what’s going on” after answering the door. He denied putting his hands on her, but admitted they were arguing and he was trying to get her to leave, police said.
Inside the home, police found a plastic bag containing a white powder that turned out to be cocaine, police said.
Peppers, who turned 29 last Friday, was arraigned Monday on charges of battery, battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of a Class B substance suspected to be cocaine, according to the Associated Press.
During the hearing, Peppers’ attorney, Marc Brofsky, said there was evidence that “casts real doubt on the allegations.”
Peppers, who agreed to have no contact with the woman, posted $2,500 bail and is due back in court Nov. 22.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said the organization is aware of the situation and that Peppers will be allowed to visit the team’s facilities for the time being. Peppers, who is also dealing with a shoulder injury, was inactive during the team’s 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. He had been excluded before his arrest.
“We don’t know enough to say he shouldn’t be in the building,” Mayo told WEEI sports radio Monday. “I don’t think anyone knows the facts or anything like that. It’s a process.
Peppers, captain of the AFC East team, is in his third season with New England. He previously played for the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. He played college football at Michigan. He signed a 3-year, $24 million contract extension with the Patriots over the summer.
