Watch CBS News

Patriots Alfonzo Dennard Found Guilty Of Assault Of An Officer, Resisting Arrest

BOSTON (CBS) - New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was found guilty Wednesday of assault on a police officer and resisting arrest in Nebraska stemming from an altercation last April.

Dennard, then a standout player at Nebraska, was reportedly out celebrating with friends and family leading up to the 2012 NFL draft when an altercation with another college student, Ben Samani, occurred.

When police responded, Dennard punched police officer Ben Kopsa as he was trying to arrest Dennard.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine, though Lincoln Journal Star reporter Lori Pilger is reporting Dennard faces up to six years at his April 11 sentencing.

Dennard did not comment after the verdict was announced, but his attorney, Terry Dougherty, made a brief statement to the press.

"We're obviously disappointed with the verdict on the first count, but that's the jury's verdict. We have to abide by what the jury has to say, so we're going to deal with it," said Dougherty. "Right now our work is not done; we have to turn our attention to the sentencing hearing coming up in April. We're going to working for that so the sentence is appropriate to what the evidence has disclosed in front of the jury."

Dennard, 23, was found not guilty of assaulting Samani.

According to the Boston Globe, Dennard admitted to resisting arrest when he took the stand on Friday, saying he swatted Kopsa's hands away as he tried to handcuff him.

There has been no comment yet from the Patriots on the verdict.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.