Tennessee Titans Kenny Britt’s case involving police chase to be reviewed by New Jersey prosecutor
After Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt took police on a chase through his hometown of Bayonne, New Jersey, a state prosecutor will be reviewing the charges that were brought against him,
The wide receiver was charged with obstructing governmental function, hindering apprehension and eluding an officer of the law after police attempted to stop him when he was clocked going 71 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone in his Porsche.
The incident occurred at 4:30 PM on 12 April, 2011 when police attempted to stop the vehicle that Britt was occupying for speeding. When police entered the roadway in an attempt to stop the vehicle, the driver started driving erratically and then entered
suburban neighbourhoods. The vehicle was spotted later with Britt and another friend, 23-year-old Jerel Lord, walking away from it.
Both Britt and Lord denied that they had been driving the vehicle and during questioning, Lord tried to flee on foot but was brought down one block away by a police officer who gave chase. Britt later admitted that the vehicle belonged to him after the questioning
officer, who recognized Britt as a professional football player, asked him about the vehicle’s Tennessee license plates.
Both Britt and Lord attended a hearing at Hudson County Superior Court with Britt not entering a plea deal. He was dressed in a pink shirt with a dark pinstripe suit over it but declined comments after the hearing with John Hughes, his attorney, doing the
same.
The judge requested that the case be removed to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, who will decide what to do next. Edward DeFazio, a Hudson County Prosecutor, said that it would take a couple of months before it is decided whether the case should be
presented before a grand jury or not.
Since Britt has no previous criminal record, DeFazio says that there may be no jail time involved even though the three charges brought against Britt would carry a maximum punishment of five years behind bars. He also said that Britt may avoid jail time
by taking part in a pre-trial diversionary program.
This is not the first time that Britt has had a run in with the law, although it is the first time that criminal charges may be brought against him. He was accused of being involved in a fight at a bar in Nashville, Tennessee on 22 October, 2010 but was
not charged. He was also ticketed for driving without a license after Britt was driving with a photo identification card because he had lost his driver’s license. He was also accused of not paying a bail bond that he had secured for a friend and was arrested
after not paying three outstanding traffic tickets last year.
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