More spin from the victim's side in the Merriman arrest

September 9, 8:31 AMSan Diego Crime ExaminerSteve Perez

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 Shawne Merriman at practice Monday.
 Photo: The Associated Press

An attorney for Tila Nguyen, aka Tila Tequila, disputes the claim from San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman that he was preventing her from leaving his Poway home in a drunken state before he was arrested on suspicion of battery and false imprisonment early Sunday.

Beverly Hills attorney Alan S. Gutman issued a statement Tuesday, saying Merriam's comments since the incident early Sunday morning are nothing more than "calculated spin to cover up his illegal and indefensible actions."

San Diego County Sheriff's deputies arrested Merriman after Nguyen signed a citizen's arrest complaint. Merriman's statements since indicate the defense posture in the case:  Nguyen was drunk and he was trying to keep her until safe transportation could be provided.

In an interview with the celebrity gossip  Web site TMZ.com, Merriman's ex-girlfriend Gloria Velez says she can't believe Merriman choked Nguyen. Velez tells TMZ.com that  Merriman never abused her during their four-year relationship, and it would be out of his character to be violent with a woman.

 Tila Tequila on MySpace.

The Union-Tribune reports that Nguyen has deleted some of her more accusatory statements on a social networking  site. The previously prolific "Tweets" of Mr. Merriman reduced in frequency immediately following his arrest, the Union-Tribune reports.

Here's the complete from Gutman's office, Nguyen's attorney:

Shawne Merriman and his advisors have decided that the best defense is a good offense, attacking Tila Tequila in the press with a lot of calculated spin to cover up his illegal and indefensible actions. Fortunately, we as a society will not tolerate a 6'4", 270 pound all-pro NFL linebacker physically assaulting a young lady who is 4'11" and 93 pounds. It is never justifiable to brutally assault, choke, strike and imprison a woman. Once the truth is fully revealed, Mr. Merriman’s fantastic story of how he was trying to keep Ms. Tequila safe will be completely discredited. No one, especially a woman, should ever have to endure what Mr. Merriman did to Tila Tequila.

 

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is continuing its investigation in the case and the San Diego County District Attorney's Office will review the findings to  decide if criminal charges should be filed.

More info: Tila Tequila's attorney: Linebacker's story 'spin' | Charges against Shawne Merriman up to DA's office to prosecute | Abuse probe of Merriman continues: Charger, accuser turn silent about citizen's arrest case