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June 18, 2012 @ 4:02 pm
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Charges Against Talib Have Been Dropped

Written by Scott
Reynolds
Scott Reynolds

Scott
Reynolds

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The aggravated assault charges against Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib have been dismissed, according to Frank Perez, Talib's attorney. Talib is expected to play in all 16 games in the 2012 season, which is a contract year for the talented defensive back.
Just days before Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib was scheduled to go on trial before a Texas grand jury for charges of assault with a deadly weapon on June 25, Talib's attorney, Frank Perez, told PewterReport.com that the case has been dismissed and that all charges have been dropped.

"Obviously we are very, very happy," Perez said. "I think the assistant district attorney handling the case reviewed all the evidence and as he was getting ready for trial he just decided not to go forward and to let the case go. We're very, very happy about that."

Talib was accused of pistol-whipping and shooting at Shannon Billings, who was Talib's sister's boyfriend. Billings is currently in jail for sexual assault charges and he is a multiple offender. According to Perez, that was a damaging blow to the prosecution's case.

"The witness in this case has a history and is currently in jail for the charges he has been arrested on before," Perez said. "He just doesn't have any credibility and I think that is the biggest factor. There are some other issues involved that I am not going to comment on, but we were pretty confident from the beginning when we got on this case that the outcome would be positive."

If convicted, Talib could have been sentenced up to 20 years in prison. Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano and the organization have stood by Talib throughout this incident and have remained positive that he could resume his playing career without incident.

"He's very, very happy," Perez said of Talib's reaction. "He's very glad to have this behind him and off his shoulders. He wants to play football and doesn't want to have to worry about anything other than playing football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his family and his friends. He's very excited."

Talib, who has 16 career interceptions, is entering a contract year with the Buccaneers. Talib was Tampa Bay's first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Billings, 41, is jailed in Dallas County on a bond of $265,000 after a March 1 arrest on charges for indecency with a child/sexual contact. He was previously arrested on December 10, 2011 on sexual assault charges and is a registered sex offender in the state of Texas.
Last modified on Monday, 18 June 2012 16:33
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COMMENTS

  • avatar


    georgehicks
    June 20, 2012
    12:39 pm
    Well Buc afns we got a break-GO BUCS
  • avatar


    seat26
    June 20, 2012
    12:41 am
    The Important thing is that Talib caught a break and needs to realize how close he might have come to ending his career. He has been fortunate on other occasions and as the saying goes a cat only has 9 lives. He needs to recommit himself to the game of Football and keep himself completely clean in behavior. I think the Bucs patience is running out. He is a great player when he is focused on the game but it is the off field antics that are screwing up his chances at greatness.
  • avatar


    scubog
    June 19, 2012
    5:32 pm
    Horse: I did read the times and other accounts from Big Mama. Think we should believe her any more than the sex offender? I'm just glad the system was allowed to work through the process. Too bad Talib and Big Mama are such bad shots or they might have rid society of another creep. Now if Talib had just gone to Penn State.
  • avatar


    Horse
    June 19, 2012
    9:20 pm
    scubog, that was really funny and a good one. Humor is the best way to deal with life.
  • avatar


    buc1932
    June 19, 2012
    2:23 pm
    Fantastic news! Stay on the straight and narrow 25 we need you
  • avatar


    B4L877
    June 19, 2012
    10:47 am
    really jon gruden?? From F to a C? Give our secondary a little more credit than that. Talib is a pro bowl talent whether u want to admit it or not buddy. Give the man a break he beat the case and the new coaching staff loves what they are getting out of him. Drafting his replacement LOL. ???
  • avatar

    jongruden
    June 19, 2012
    9:56 am
    On a footballl level this is great news for the Bucs to have a solid corner in the lineup we just went from a grade of F to a C. On a personal level I don't know what happened that night either but I do know the character of Talib and this won't be the last of him he is an idiot and these guys can't help but put themselves in harms way of anything, I'm praying he can make it through the season so we can draft his replacement next yr. Talib, please don't hold up any Circle K's untill 2013 PLEASE!
  • avatar


    stlbucsfan
    June 19, 2012
    7:33 am
    This is great news in Bucs Nation. And for everyone who assume guilt before the chance to prove innocence should be ashamed of yourself. I think its laughable that some of you still think he was guilty and simply got off as if you were present when this altercation took place. Perform and get your new contract Aqib the Bucs NEED YOU!
  • avatar


    Horse
    June 19, 2012
    12:05 pm
    stibucsfan, another one who didn't read the Tampa Bay Times today.
  • avatar


    stlbucsfan
    June 20, 2012
    2:40 pm
    Fact is the case was dismissed so if his mother had said such "damning" information it wouldnt matter if the guy had eaten bath salts they would have taken it to court. There was nothing of substance plus the guy was a scumbag. You can send Talib to your moral jail all you wish but that means nothing in the real world, this case and your points about Talibs "guilt" are DISMISSED!
  • avatar


    mjmoody
    June 19, 2012
    5:59 am
    I'm thrilled for the Bucs, their secondary, and for Sciano that Talib is free to prowl the field. I'm pleased that Talib gets to continue his growth and maturity into the man he is becoming. Everything I've heard from the new coaching staff says Talib is present and accountable all the while busting his tail in workouts. He has had zero issues since this occurrence in TX. His slate has been wiped clean by the new order. There are multiple source reported news snippets of Talib helping the younger players, and showing leadership skills on the football field. I'm simply reminding some of the fan base, the young man has not had any run-ins with the law or otherwise in some time. He just might be showing you the growth you keep asking for.
  • avatar


    Horse
    June 19, 2012
    12:03 pm
    mjmoody, I am with you on this and I hope Talib past is the past and he continues to help others and he himself stay out of trouble. First step he might want to take is to move to Tampa and stay away from Garland Texas.
  • avatar


    scubog
    June 19, 2012
    5:08 am
    Billings' story of the events simply wasn't believed by the prosecution and there were no credible witnesses to substantiate this scumbag's account. Who knows what really went down. But I know this much. None of us were there; so regurgitating what Billings told the police and once again presenting it as fact, that even the investigators don't buy, is a little presumptuous. Heck we don't even know if Talib or Big Mama even had a gun.....unless you believe the sex offender.
  • avatar


    Horse
    June 19, 2012
    12:01 pm
    scubog, I gues you didn't read the Tampa Bay Times today either? His Mother said something to the contrary with her first statements to the police and of course probably can't remember anything now. I fully understand that she is protecting her child especially since no one was injured, luckily. Just because people get off or charges are dropped, or plead down, doesn't mean that they are not quilty. Talib difinitely was involved and cause this gun firing and so did his Mother, but finding someone guilty beyond a reasonable doubt becomes more and more difficult in our system; that's good and bad.
  • avatar


    muvlodge
    June 19, 2012
    1:28 am
    Oh yeah, by the way Horse...I am as much of a Talib slammer as anyone but there were never any real things that were deemed factual about this story. So, I don't really think it is fair to say he did this or did that without knowing any facts. The case was dropped and that is all that we can go by. I am in no way saying this guy is an angel though.
  • avatar


    Horse
    June 19, 2012
    11:52 am
    muvlodge, if you don't think there was anything factual just read the Tampa Times today and even read what his Mother said. Attornies always make most things go away whether right or wrong. Money always overcomes most things with the law.
  • avatar


    Horse
    June 18, 2012
    10:01 pm
    psymun, yes I agree with you about protecting your family. Billings did not have a gun on himself; Talib should have beaten the crap out of him and I would be fine with that. First of all if it was that urgent to protect his sister there would have not beeen enough time to deal with a gun; think about that. Second, as much as some people think it is not easy to shoot someone right in front of them; it is not. Just listen to the news everynight and you'll hear about the shootesr that shoot it out and most of them don't even injure anyone. If they all just would attacked each other with their hands they would have been more successful. I won't bore you with my past experience in shooting some people and it was not that easy when your target is moving and you yourself are very excited. It's very ineffective to be accurate with a hand gun in time of need unless you practice at it continually.
  • avatar


    psymun
    June 18, 2012
    8:31 pm
    Horse, I would like to point one thing out... If your sister was being assaulted by her current, or ex-boyfriend, would you not take the actions you feel are necessary to protect her? Do I agree with the us of a gun? No. Would I agree with Talib if he simply beat the crap out of the guy? Yes. I'm not sure how much of the story has been put out into the press, but that's part of what went on was that Talib was protecting his family.
  • avatar


    Horse
    June 18, 2012
    10:00 pm
    psymun, yes I agree with you about protecting your family. Billings did not have a gun on himself; Talib should have beaten the crap out of him and I would be fine with that. First of all if it was that urgent to protect his sister there would have not beeen enough time to deal with a gun; think about that. Second, as much as some people think it is easy to shoot someone right in front of them; it is not. Just listen to the news everynight and you'll hear about the shootesr that shoot it out and most of them don't even injure anyone. If they all just would attacked each other with their hands they would have been more successful. I won't bore you with my past experience in shooting some people and it was not that easy when your target is moving and you yourself are very excited. It's very ineffective to be accurate with a hand gun in time of need unless you practice at it continually.
  • avatar


    pomer1eau
    June 18, 2012
    7:47 pm
    best news of the year...without him the defense still would have struggled all year even with Wright and Barron now i have high hopes for the defense
  • avatar


    martinii
    June 18, 2012
    7:04 pm
    Great news, Defensive backfield improvd 50% For all those who haave been busting his chops the past year, your scorn and personal judgment just became inmaterial. Goddell will probably suspend him for a few games, however having him at CB in his contract season for most of the Season is huge. Remember, every article written about Talib since Shirano has taken over has emphasized how Cooperative, well-behaved, attentative, disaplined, and hardworking he has been. I for one agree with many, This is a Great day for the Bucs.... Go Bucs
  • avatar


    22chris
    June 18, 2012
    6:29 pm
    Is this the high character kind of guy Schiano wants? The case was dropped because the key witness is incaerated as a sex offender. Let's not get carried away that Aqib was a victim here.
  • avatar

    tajik_buc
    June 18, 2012
    7:38 pm
    Man has a past, but Schiano said everyone had a blank slate coming in. He's kept his nose clean and done the right things, unlike Jackson and Winslow. Hopefully this will a) show Talib that growing up and doing the right things is important; and b) the rest of the team that the Coach will back them up, and not make rash decisions.
  • avatar


    Horse
    June 18, 2012
    6:23 pm
    How could anyone be happy that Talib got off because the main witness was a slime ball and Talib paid a lot of money for his attorney to make sure that Billings past would probably result in a hung jury. I'm figuring that since they have Billings locked up for what he did that was a higher priority than spending several hundred thousands trying to have Talib pay for what he did. Okay he got off. Yes he is like a cat with nine lives. I hope some of you happy fans that don't think character is that important have a good laugh on people like me. Yep, I was wrong that Talib would get the proper punishment for getting out of a car with gun in hand; he probably thought he was still in Florida at the time where anybody can do anything with a hand gun. Okay Talib, please don't screw up again; please, please, please. I bet on his new contract Talib will have a big penalty clause if he even jaywalks across the street and deserving so. Go Bucs! We move on! I am now eating crow and I would have said the same things that I did before because hand guns are just plain trouble.
  • avatar


    Sneedy16
    June 18, 2012
    8:52 pm
    Horse, I currently live in Houston, Tx and the gun laws are about as liberal as Florida. They have the stand your ground issue here too. Just two weeks ago some guy shot someone in his front yard and got off. I don't like the use of guns in situations, but with the situation as is I'm happy he got off for beating up a child molester.
  • avatar


    scubog
    June 18, 2012
    6:16 pm
    And this my friends is why you don't convict someone and cut them prematurely. Guess Rick Stroud was as wrong about Talib being jettisoned as J.P. Petersen was about the Glazer's finances. Thankfully we have the Pewter Report boys. Now Aqib, you got your clean slate, don't shoot yourself in the foot or leg.
  • avatar


    bucdiezel90
    June 18, 2012
    6:05 pm
    If Aqib could ever play an entire 16 games he could have 8-9 interceptions which automatically shoves you into the pro bowl. He had 6 the year before last in I believe 14 games. I bet you if he has a pro bowl year, they will definitely offer him a new contract with specific off field incentives.
  • avatar


    muvlodge
    June 19, 2012
    1:20 am
    I am assuming he is becoming an UFA after this season and if that is the case I bet he goes to Washington or anywhere else so he doesn't have to play for the DISCIPLINARIAN anymore. I think Talib & Schiano ultimately are like oil & water.
  • avatar


    Pick6
    June 18, 2012
    6:00 pm
    if you look at the bucs' personnel moves all offseason, it seemed like they were pretty confident this would be the outcome. i'm sure it was a nuisance when the trial got pushed back, but with barber at safety, no premiere draft picks at CB, and only eric wright brought in thru FA, it seemed like the bucs were banking heavily on talib not missing any time. now lets see if they predicted a non-suspension correctly also.
  • avatar


    DrT1066
    June 18, 2012
    5:46 pm
    Now if he will just go to an anger management 12 - step program.
  • avatar


    superflysnuka
    June 18, 2012
    5:16 pm
    Talib can't be suspended, his problem occurred during the lockout so he wasn't in the league
  • avatar


    bucsmaniac
    June 18, 2012
    5:10 pm
    great news...! secondary will be solid again!
  • avatar


    Clearwater Buc 21
    June 18, 2012
    5:04 pm
    I wouldn't be surprised if Dictator Goodell suspended Talib probably for the 1st game of the season, but nothing more than 4 games. Personally, I don't think Aqib should get suspended at all. Yeah, he's a fool off the field for his constant run-in's with the law; but I think there would be a backlash if Goodell suspended a guy for physically reacting against a guy who's a sex offender. I also read last year that Talib went after Billings because he was slapping around Talib's sister. If I had a sister, and her boyfriend was hitting her AND a sex offender, heck... I'd be in the same spot as Talib. I don't blame him one bit. So hopefully, he gets his act together, plays in all 16 games, has a Pro Bowl type season, and gets an extension and becomes one of the Bucs greatest DB's in franchise history. He's already clearly shown that potential.
  • avatar


    FreemanMVP
    June 18, 2012
    5:03 pm
    Congrats Talib! Im sure this was a hard time for you especially when most fans wanted you kicked off the team before you ever had a chance to even defend yourself against the evidence.
  • avatar


    savinlife4alivin13
    June 18, 2012
    4:53 pm
    Great news for our CB position, that's about it. Don't see the Bucs offering him a new contract in 2013! Now will he be suspended for any games this year???
  • avatar


    iabucfan
    June 18, 2012
    4:43 pm
    Congratulations to Aqib "Sonny Corleone" Talib. Like Sneedy16 said, now get your act together.
  • avatar


    pinkstob
    June 18, 2012
    4:42 pm
    Well, well, well what have we here...
  • avatar


    bEubanks11
    June 18, 2012
    4:41 pm
    Excellent news!! That's huge for this young defense! Talib has shown he's committed and wants to be a part of this team. We can all rest a little easier now. Go Bucs!!
  • avatar


    Sneedy16
    June 18, 2012
    4:37 pm
    First to comment!! Congrats Aquib Talib!! Now play football and get your act together.
  • avatar


    hedgeball70
    June 19, 2012
    12:54 pm
    His name is Aqib Talib.
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