Johnson gets probation for nightclub incidents
March 29th 2009 08:53
Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was sentenced to two years probation Friday after pleading guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace for separate incidents involving women at nightclubs last year.
A Kansas City Municipal Court judge suspended imposition of the sentence and will remove the guilty plea from the public record if Johnson finishes the probation without further incidents.
While on probation, Johnson will not be allowed to consume alcohol or be at any Kansas City bars or nightclubs after 9 p.m. He also must complete anger-control counseling and 40 hours of community service.
The 28-year-old Johnson was originally charged with assault in the two incidents, but those charges were changed to disturbing the peace on Friday.
The first incident occurred on Feb. 24 last year, when a 26-year-old woman accused Johnson of pushing her head at a Kansas City nightspot.
He also was accused of spitting a drink in the face of a 24-year-old woman and threatening to kill her boyfriend at another Kansas City club on Oct. 10.
That woman, Ashley N. Stewart of Lawrence, Kan., filed a suit against Johnson in November, accusing him of negligence, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
The NFL suspended Johnson one game for violating the league's player conduct policy in November and the Chiefs deactivated the two-time Pro Bowler for three games. He has asked the Chiefs to trade him.
The October incident marked the fourth time in five years Johnson had been accused of assaulting a woman.
In 2003, he was charged with aggravated assault and misdemeanor battery for allegedly brandishing a gun during an argument with his former girlfriend. The charges were dropped after he completed a domestic violence diversion program.
Another woman accused Johnson of pushing her at a nightclub in 2005, though the charges were later dropped after she failed to show up for court hearings.
Johnson was one of the best running backs in the NFL in 2005 and 2006, rushing for over 1,750 yards in each. He signed a contract in 2007 that guaranteed a team-record $19 million, but has been injured and inconsistent since, rushing for 1,433 yards in 20 games.
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