Eagles

Notes from the Houston Police Department’s Michael Bennett Press Conference

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Mar 23rd, 2018 · 4:59 PM EDT

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Unless you’re living under a rock, you heard that new Eagles defensive lineman Michael Bennett was indicted Friday afternoon on a felony charge of “injury to the elderly,” stemming from an incident that Houston police say took place at Super Bowl 51.

A release from the district attorney’s office claims that Bennett was in Texas last year to watch his brother Martellus play in the game for the New England Patriots. Afterward, it’s stated that Bennett pushed his way on to the field after he was told by security that he had to use a different entrance for field access. Bennett reportedly hurt a 66-year-old paraplegic woman in the process.

Houston police held a press conference around four o’ clock this afternoon and said the following:

• there is no video of the alleged incident, but a police officer witnessed it
• the indictment took more than a year to process because more significant cases were being prioritized
• Bennett pushed two other security guards (one a 28-year-old white woman) in addition to the elderly black woman and forcibly opened locked doors to access the field
• the paraplegic woman suffered a sprained shoulder
• he cursed at security guard and a police officer who tried to stop him from entering the field

The Eagles released a statement later in the afternoon:

“We are aware of the situation involving Michael Bennett and are in the process of gathering more information. Because this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”

Here’s the indictment, which reads that Bennett pushed “her arm and body with his hands” –

Here’s the indictment of Michael Bennett, which includes woman’s name pic.twitter.com/MAWS9Mlgr7

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) March 23, 2018

A conviction on the felony charge could result in 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The only thing I’ll say from an editorializing standpoint is that I find it hard to believe that there were no cameras in the area. You might remember that Tom Brady had his jersey stolen after the game and it turned into a ridiculous search involving the FBI.

Here’s the full video from the presser. There’s a question and answer session with media that starts a few minutes in:

Chief @ArtAcevedo Newser on Michael Bennett Grand Jury Indictment https://t.co/sRbLA6DA5j

— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) March 23, 2018