Former Cleveland Browns rookie linebacker Ausar Walcott, charged with attempted murder in June, claims he acted in self-defense, according to court documents obtained by the Bergen Record.
Walcott is accused of punching Derek Jones in the head outside The Palace Gentlemen's Club in Passaic, N.J., on June 23, but the linebacker's attorney says his client was defending himself, the newspaper reported.
Attorney Miles Feinstein wrote that one of Walcott's companions was punched for "no reason at all." Walcott attempted to avoid fighting, but was "accosted," according to his attorney's writeup. Feinstein argued the charge of attempted murder "is not viable" in the face of "numerous witnesses" supporting Walcott's story. Added the attorney: "He in no way was the aggressor."
The undrafted Walcott -- who was released by the Browns after the incident -- was charged with attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering an injured victim. Walcott was a productive player at Virginia over four seasons, but his NFL career appears over before it started.
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