Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas found himself in legal trouble after facing charges of simple battery and criminal mischief. These charges stemmed from an incident that took place in front of Thomas’ residence in Kenner, Louisiana. The altercation arose between Thomas and a local contractor over parking issues in the neighborhood. The contractor accused Thomas of pushing him and throwing a brick at his car windshield, which led to Thomas being taken into custody. However, Thomas’ attorney, Daniel “Becket” Becnel, claimed that there was no assault or criminality involved in the situation.
Pretrial Diversion Program
Instead of going to trial, Thomas has opted to enter a pretrial diversion program. This program requires Thomas to fulfill certain requirements over the course of six months in order for the case to be closed. While Becnel stated that the charges had been dismissed, a spokesperson for the city attorney’s office clarified that Thomas still needs to complete the program successfully. This program offers Thomas the opportunity to avoid a trial and potentially have the charges expunged from his record upon completion.
Career and Personal Background
Michael Thomas, a former second-round pick by the Saints in 2016, has had a successful career in the NFL. He was named the 2019 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and holds the record for the most single-season receptions. Despite his accolades, Thomas has been plagued by injuries in recent years, limiting his playing time on the field. The decision to release Thomas from the team at the beginning of free agency comes after multiple injury setbacks that have impacted his performance over the past few seasons.
In light of the legal issues surrounding Michael Thomas, it is evident that his reputation and career have been marred by this incident. While his attorney maintains that no criminal actions took place, the fact that Thomas was involved in such an altercation raises questions about his conduct off the field. As Thomas looks to move forward and put this incident behind him, he will need to focus on his personal growth and professional conduct to regain the trust of his fans and the NFL community.
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