Culpepper lawyer alleges racism in boat prosecution
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS -- Lawyers for Minnesota Vikings Daunte Culpepper and Moe Williams have accused a prosecutor of racial discrimination, saying he charged black men but ignored possible crimes by two white men in the team's boat party scandal.
The attorneys served a motion Wednesday on prosecutor Steven Tallen asking for the dismissal of charges against the two players, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
The Star Tribune first reported in a story for Thursday's editions. In an interview with the newspaper, Tallen denied that race played any role in his decision on whom to charge. He did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press left at his law office on Thursday.
Culpepper, Williams and two other players face trial on misdemeanor charges of indecent conduct and lewdness for their alleged behavior on two cruise boats last October on Lake Minnetonka. They have said they are not guilty.
