Cedric the Misdemeanorer

Benson charged; released on bail
ESPN.com news services

AUSTIN, Texas -- Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was arrested Tuesday and charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching a bar employee in the face nearly a month ago.

Benson was booked into the Travis County Jail, where he later posted $5,000 bail and was released. The charge of assault with injury carries a maximum potential penalty of up to $4,000 in fines and up to a year in jail.

According to the Austin police arrest affidavit, Benson was at Annie's West bar in the Sixth Street entertainment district on May 30 when he got into an altercation with another, unknown bar patron that left him spitting blood from a cut lip. After staff intervened, witnesses told police Benson shoved a bar worker and was verbally abusive. After being asked to leave, Benson was escorted to the door.

"As they took him outside, he continued to push and shove," Senior Police Officer Veneza Aguinaga said.

Bartender Bryan White told police that once outside, Benson complained to people passing by that "all these white boys are ganging up on me and kicking me out."

White said he told Benson he wouldn't take time out of his night just to kick him out, then Benson punched him in the face.

One of Benson's attorneys, Sam Bassett, said his client "looks forward to telling his side of the story at the appropriate time."

"Though he does not entirely agree with the version of facts recited in the court filings," Bassett said, "he does not wish to make his comments public at this time."

"Mr. Benson has always been willing to cooperate with the Austin Police Department to tell his version of what happened so long as he could have a lawyer present," he said. "The Austin Police Department decided to go forward with obtaining a warrant without obtaining Mr. Benson's side of the story."

Attorney David Cornwell, who also has been hired by Benson, explained Benson's side of the incident in a statement released later Tuesday and said his client has been in contact with Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and the NFL.

"Though we adamantly dispute that Cedric committed a crime, Cedric will continue to cooperate with law enforcement, the Bengals and the NFL in their investigation of these events," Cornwell said.

Gee, it sure isn't a good time to be a former Longhorn in a bar atmosphere. Between Cedric's latest scrape with the law, Vince Young's strip club meltdown and Shaun Rogers trying to take a gat into a airport it's been a busy offseason for the Horns. Of course in legal matter Cedric always takes the cake and it's never his fault. Just like the time he broke into a house to steal (or retrieve in his words) a TV. He's got an excuse for pretty much everything. Plus, it's never a good thing to have to say that you've "always" been willing to cooperate with the police. When it comes to police always and often are words to avoid. I'm just wondering which former Horn will break the law next. I'm hoping James Brown will try to steal the identity of his dead namesake and get arrested for fraud. That'd be a great story. But I'm betting Ricky just gets caught smoking pot again.