05-13-2002, 01:59 PM
per ESPN.com...
Midland officials dropped the remaining two misdemeanor charges against Texas running back Cedric Benson on Monday after deciding there wasn't enough evidence in the case.
Midland City Attorney Keith Stretcher said he dropped the charges after a review of evidence indicated authorities "could not meet our burden of proof" in drug paraphernalia and alcohol possession charges against Benson.
"Cedric's very happy about that," said Benson's attorney, Brian Carney of Midland. "The investigation done by the authorities has proven out his claims of innocence to be true. He has no hard feelings."
Benson, 19, and Melanie Robinson, 20, were arrested at Robinson's Midland apartment April 27 when police responded to a call about loud music.
Both defendants were charged with possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and being a minor in possession of alcohol.
The drug possession charge against Benson, a Class B misdemeanor, was dropped last week for lack of evidence. It was the only charge against him that could have led to jail time. The other charges carried maximum fines of up to $500.
The case against Robinson is continuing, Stretcher said.
Police have released few details of the arrest despite formal requests from news organizations under Texas open records laws.
Attorney General John Cornyn's office on Wednesday ordered Midland police to release a more detailed report on the arrest.
Stretcher said the city has complied with the order.
"We have released all the do***ents that the Texas attorney general has determined should be released," he said.
Midland officials dropped the remaining two misdemeanor charges against Texas running back Cedric Benson on Monday after deciding there wasn't enough evidence in the case.
Midland City Attorney Keith Stretcher said he dropped the charges after a review of evidence indicated authorities "could not meet our burden of proof" in drug paraphernalia and alcohol possession charges against Benson.
"Cedric's very happy about that," said Benson's attorney, Brian Carney of Midland. "The investigation done by the authorities has proven out his claims of innocence to be true. He has no hard feelings."
Benson, 19, and Melanie Robinson, 20, were arrested at Robinson's Midland apartment April 27 when police responded to a call about loud music.
Both defendants were charged with possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and being a minor in possession of alcohol.
The drug possession charge against Benson, a Class B misdemeanor, was dropped last week for lack of evidence. It was the only charge against him that could have led to jail time. The other charges carried maximum fines of up to $500.
The case against Robinson is continuing, Stretcher said.
Police have released few details of the arrest despite formal requests from news organizations under Texas open records laws.
Attorney General John Cornyn's office on Wednesday ordered Midland police to release a more detailed report on the arrest.
Stretcher said the city has complied with the order.
"We have released all the do***ents that the Texas attorney general has determined should be released," he said.