Deadspin:Patriots Brandon Meriweather Allegedly involved in shooting of two men

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I grew up in a pretty ****ty environment, manged to do pretty well for myself (not nearly as well as Brandon) and I tend to try and bring my family and friends up with me... what i dont do, is bring myself down with them. Nobody is suggesting that he not associate with the people he grew up with... just dont associate with the reckless lifestyle that some of them live.

The fight was like between two cousins. Last time I checked they were still family types.

If you break up a fight, it's not like you get to spend hours studying film and then execute a detailed gameplan.

At some point, somebody has to decide what exactly is wanted from these guys. They grow up in a very rough environment. If the stay away, they get accused of turning their back on their community.

If they go back, they are accused of being thugs.

In his first incident, Merriweather had a legal permit to carry a gun. He gets raked over the coals for defending a friend WHO GOT SHOT.

Now he tries to break up a fight between family and is a thug.

Beam us up, Scotty.

 

[jmt57]

There is no "area" when people are pissed off. If someone wants to carry on a grudge bad enough, you can't get away from them short of going to the police station.

Granted some people will hold a grudge until they exact revenge. But on the other hand some are no longer looking for a fight - sometimes as soon as the next day - with a little time for tempers to cool off and the blood alcohol content to go down.

It just seems to me that Meriweather had better options - for both himself and for Payne - than to go to another party that night.

 

[Mogamedogz]

An altercation happened. Meriweather left the location of the altercation and went elsewhere. That's what he should have done. There was no need for him to go home.

This is what you're sticking with...really? You honestly believe that carrying on to the after-party was what he should have done? That his judgement was sound in choosing to carry on into the night with these guys at another party in a seedy neighborhood over just calling it a night? Really??

You dont believe this. You're smarter than this. im going to chalk it up to you just arguing for arguments sake here. There is no way you believe what you're saying.

 

[Mogamedogz]

It just seems to me that Meriweather had better options - for both himself and for Payne - than to go to another party that night.

This is basically what it comes down to. You're dead on. I dont see how this can even be argued.

 

[Deus Irae]

Granted some people will hold a grudge until they exact revenge. But on the other hand some are no longer looking for a fight - sometimes as soon as the next day - with a little time for tempers to cool off and the blood alcohol content to go down.

It just seems to me that Meriweather had better options - for both himself and for Payne - than to go to another party that night.

Yes, he could have gone to the police and asked them to lock him in a cell for the night out of fear for his safety. He could have immediately booked a flight to an island where there has never been a recorded act of violence in its history. Or he could have left the place of the confrontation and gone to hang out with friends and family at a house party, that was at a different location.

All of those are perfectly acceptable options. I know my examples over the top, but c'mon JMT, Meriweather's not required to take actions that you and I usually wouldn't even think of doing.

 

[Lavictoire]

Sorry to hear this. I like the guy because he tries to play aggressive but I know he also makes a lot of mistakes.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Yes, he could have gone to the police and asked them to lock him in a cell for the night out of fear for his safety. He could have immediately booked a flight to an island where there has never been a recorded act of violence in its history. Or he could have left the place of the confrontation and gone to hang out with friends and family at a house party, that was at a different location.

All of those are perfectly acceptable options. I know my examples over the top, but c'mon JMT, Meriweather's not required to take actions that you and I usually wouldn't even think of doing.

You dont say?

 

[randomk1]

Ughh...i'm so tired of this guy.I don't care if he is guilty or not i don't want any players on this team even involved in situations like that.He's close to being mentally ******ed imo and he obviously ain't getting any better as a player.Time to get the **** outta here.

 

[moosekill]

You dont say?

Ok, we get it you don't like Brandon.

Now lets hear what you would have done.

You are out with your friends, and relatives, two of them get in a fight, it gets broken up and you all leave, split up and some of you go somewhere else for a party.

Now, when I was 24 staying out past 1 wasn't illegal, immoral, or even out of the norm. Also, being at a bar where a fight broke out wasn't incredibly rare. Leaving that bar sounds like it was a pretty good idea. You head somewhere else with just one of the original combatants, someone who is your buddy and I guess relative, and the boyfriend tracks you all down and shoots two of your friends.

You are right Jeez what was he thinking?

Based on the current information, I have no idea at all what he could have or should have done differently. Further more, when I look at the events of the evening, I can't even see what I would have done differently, and I grew up in Maine, not the slums of Florida.

 

[moosekill]

Ughh...i'm so tired of this guy.I don't care if he is guilty or not i don't want any players on this team even involved in situations like that.He's close to being mentally ******ed imo and he obviously ain't getting any better as a player.Time to get the **** outta here.

Wow great post, you did yourself proud!

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Yes, he could have gone to the police and asked them to lock him in a cell for the night out of fear for his safety. He could have immediately booked a flight to an island where there has never been a recorded act of violence in its history. Or he could have left the place of the confrontation and gone to hang out with friends and family at a house party, that was at a different location.

All of those are perfectly acceptable options. I know my examples over the top, but c'mon JMT, Meriweather's not required to take actions that you and I usually wouldn't even think of doing.

"required" is the key word there, I think.

To me, it comes down to judgment. Here's a highly paid NFL player who, according to Miguel, is due to collect somewhere around two million next season. We can argue all we want over how good he might or might not be, but he's only been in the league four years and has gone to the Pro Bowl twice. He's just 26 and stands to collect nice paychecks for another bunch of years either with the Pats or somewhere else.

The more I read, the more I think it's reasonable to ask whether a guy with that profile shouldn't have the good judgment not to hang out at a bar like that late at night when there's trouble around.

"required" to go home? Hardly. "Smart idea" to get lost? Yeah, I think so.

 

[Patjew]

Cousins of Meriweather were on both sides of the fight.


The cast:

- Quentin Taylor (Meriweather's cousin) - shot in mouth
- Nico Stanley (friend of Taylor) - person whom shot was allegedly fired at (that instead struck Taylor)
- Cedric Payne (another cousin of Meriweather)
- Michael Simmons (friend of Nico Stanley)
- Valerie Griffin (Nico Stanley's godmother)
- Ebone Stanley (sister of Nico Stanley)
- Cajun Peterson (owner of car E Stanley was driving)
- India Ware (passenger in car)
- Sean Peterson (passenger, suspected of owning handgun found in car)
- An Unknown Witness (told story to Globe)
- Anton Massey (alleged shooter)
- Adam Swickle (Meriweather's lawyer)
- John Morgan (Taylor and Stanley's lawyer)
- Dan Sileo (radio talk show host who first made story public)
- Harold Cummings (police officer)
- Steven Harmon (police officer)

- First there was a fight at closing time that involved Payne and Ebone Stanley.
- Later Nico Stanley and Quentin Taylor beat up Payne.
- Meriweather tried to break up that fight.
- A shot was fired by someone - the unknown witness says it was Anton Massey - that was supposed to be aimed for Nico Stanley. It grazed him and caused the injury to Quentin Taylor.
- Michael Simmons and Valerie Griffin drive Stanley and Taylor to hospital.
- Officers Cummings and Harmon pull over car driven by Ebone Stanley (the girl roughed up by Payne); a gun and forty rounds of ammunition were found. The two Petersons are also related to one of the gunshot victims. Maybe both, it's hard to tell who's related to whom at this point.
- Sileo starts talking about story; Deadspin picks it up.
- Taylor and Stanley engage the services of Morgan.
- Unknown Witness tells Globe reporters that Anton Massey was the person that fired the gun.
- Swickle points out no allegations against Meriweather; will have BM talk to local police.

Where was Ty Law's cousin?

 

[Mike the Brit]

Where was Ty Law's cousin?

He was off elsewhere -- but he left a suitcase.

 

[JackBauer]

I really don't see Meriweather's actions being at variance with how I'm sure a vast number of NFL athletes would have accorded themselves in a similar situation.

 

[JFK]

If BM wasn't the shooter, then he should not be punished. I see no issue with his judgment if he went from one party to another.

 

[DW Toys]

Where was Ty Law's cousin?

Bravo sir!

In my dysfunctional family get togethers we just avoid any issues even if screaming them out in our minds and hate each other in silence. No gun play here.

I am proud to say not one women has been beaten up although a few of the youngsters have been relegated to "Time Out" if that counts.

Seems like the next Merriweather family outing or BBQ there needs to be a metal detector or at the least a TSA airport screener.

You would think the potato salad couldn't really have been that bad.
DW Toys

 

[bucky]

Bravo sir!

In my dysfunctional family get togethers we just avoid any issues even if screaming them out in our minds and hate each other in silence. No gun play here.

I am proud to say not one women has been beaten up although a few of the youngsters have been relegated to "Time Out" if that counts.

Seems like the next Merriweather family outing or BBQ there needs to be a metal detector or at the least a TSA airport screener.

You would think the potato salad couldn't really have been that bad.
DW Toys

And you have quite a few cousins!

 

[Mogamedogz]

Ok, we get it you don't like Brandon.

Actually, i dont mind him as a player.

Now lets hear what you would have done.

You are out with your friends, and relatives, two of them get in a fight, it gets broken up and you all leave, split up and some of you go somewhere else for a party.

Now, when I was 24 staying out past 1 wasn't illegal, immoral, or even out of the norm. Also, being at a bar where a fight broke out wasn't incredibly rare. Leaving that bar sounds like it was a pretty good idea. You head somewhere else with just one of the original combatants, someone who is your buddy and I guess relative, and the boyfriend tracks you all down and shoots two of your friends.

You are right Jeez what was he thinking?

Based on the current information, I have no idea at all what he could have or should have done differently. Further more, when I look at the events of the evening, I can't even see what I would have done differently, and I grew up in Maine, not the slums of Florida.

He is a 27year old married father of two. Not a single 24year old young adult out having some good clean fun with family and friends.

Do you realize the kind of ****hole Apopka, FL is?? Ever watch the First 48 on A&E?

You ask what I would have done differently... How about go home to my family? Why is that option not the clear one in a situation like that?

An after party in the ghetto shouldn't even has crossed his mind... let alone be considered as a good and sensible idea @ 2am.

 

[moosekill]

Actually, i dont mind him as a player.



He is a 27year old married father of two. Not a single 24year old young adult out having some good clean fun with family and friends.

Do you realize the kind of ****hole Apopka, FL is?? Ever watch the First 48 on A&E?

You ask what I would have done differently... How about go home to my family? Why is that option not the clear one in a situation like that?

An after party in the ghetto shouldn't even has crossed his mind... let alone be considered as a good and sensible idea @ 2am.

I guess I am just Mr. Wild then. I have been out after 2am without my wife in the past, and I even was drinking.

You really sound like an old fuddy duddy. Are you 80 or something? Does your religion keep you from attending parties with women? Is drinking allowed? Do women have to have their heads covered when they go out in public?

Listen if he shot the people and he wasn't being threatened or protecting his friend then all bets are off.

If, however, during the off season, he is at a party without his wife after 2am in the town where he grew up then he has done absolutely nothing wrong, end of story. Save the sanctimonious clap trap for your weekly church choir practice.

 

[jmt57]

"required" is the key word there, I think.

To me, it comes down to judgment. Here's a highly paid NFL player who, according to Miguel, is due to collect somewhere around two million next season. We can argue all we want over how good he might or might not be, but he's only been in the league four years and has gone to the Pro Bowl twice. He's just 26 and stands to collect nice paychecks for another bunch of years either with the Pats or somewhere else.

The more I read, the more I think it's reasonable to ask whether a guy with that profile shouldn't have the good judgment not to hang out at a bar like that late at night when there's trouble around.

"Required" to go home? Hardly. "Smart idea" to get lost? Yeah, I think so.

Thanks, that pretty much sums up my thoughts. Of course Brandon Meriweather has a right to go there. The better, smarter decision would have been to go home.

What any of us do today or when we were in our twenties in comparison to what Meriweather does is irrelevant. If one of us is at a party and a fight breaks out it's not going to make the back page of the local newspaper, much less make headlines across the country. My decision to attend a party is not going to potentially cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars that I currently have coming my way in the next ten months. My going to a party is not going to result in infamy for my employer.

Like it or not players get held to a higher standard than the rest of us do in terms of all their off-field actions and words. Most players understand that and act accordingly; some don't.