 NEW YORK (AP) - Authorities investigating Plaxico Burress' accidental shooting say they are looking into what roles his teammate Antonio Pierce and the hospital that treated Burress played in the incident.
The New York Giants star wide receiver turned himself in to police to face weapons possession charges Monday.
Burress accidentally shot himself at a Manhattan nightclub Friday evening and was treated at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He was released Saturday.
Lawyer Benjamin Brafman says Burress plans to plead not guilty to a weapon possession charge during a Monday afternoon court appearance.
Police, meanwhile, were investigating whether the hospital failed to report the shooting and were trying to speak to Pierce, a linebacker for the Giants.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.  NEW YORK (AP) — Plaxico Burress planned to plead not guilty to a weapon possession charge at a court appearance Monday, two days after accidentally shooting himself in the right thigh at a Manhattan nightclub.
The New York Giants star wide receiver arrived at a police station early Monday in a black Cadillac Escalade wearing jeans and a black coat. Burress, who was not visibly limping, did not speak to the media.
Burress' lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said the player would make his plea when he appeared in court later Monday. Conviction on the charge could result in at least 3 1/2 years in prison.
Brafman said he expected the arraignment to take place after 2:15 p.m.  "He is standing tall. He is a mature adult," Brafman said. "I think any professional athlete in this situation would be concerned."
Brafman refused to respond to media reports about an alleged coverup, other than to say: "I think a lot of what's been in the press is not accurate."
He said Burress is feeling OK. "If they let him play, he will be able to play. ... I think he will be a superstar for the rest of his career."
"My hope is that it plays out well and he can continue his career, because he's a good person I think, with a brilliant athletic career. And it would be a terrible sadness if an isolated incident could ruin a life," said Brafman.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg called for a full prosecution of state law that requires mandatory prison for carrying a loaded handgun.
"I don't think anybody should be exempt from that, and I think it would be an outrage if we didn't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, particularly people who live in the public domain, make their living because of their visibility — they're the role models for our kids," Bloomberg said.
The NFL is monitoring the case.
"This is a law enforcement matter and we are continuing to cooperate fully with the police," league spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement. "In addition, it will be reviewed under our league policies."
Brafman is a well-known criminal lawyer who has defended mobsters and other high-profile figures, including hip-hop impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs on a bribery and gun possession charge in 2001.
Burress shot himself Friday night and was released from a hospital early Saturday, the Giants said.
"As far as we know, he's going to be OK," general manager Jerry Reese said Sunday before the Super Bowl champions' 23-7 victory at the Washington Redskins.
Giants running back Brandon Jacobs said he spoke to Burress on the phone after the game.
"I called him and made a few jokes about the situation and his laugh is what I wanted to hear," Jacobs said, according to Newsday. "If he didn't laugh I knew he was going to be down, which he shouldn't be down. It's a mistake that happened, something that shouldn't have happened and that's that."
Before the shooting, Burress already had been ruled out of the game because of a leg injury.
New York police and NFL security are investigating what happened Friday. Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce was interviewed by NFL security at the team's hotel Saturday, Reese said.
Pierce — who started against Washington — reportedly was present for the latest dramatic turn in a tumultuous season of fines and suspension for Burress.
Pierce deflected several questions after the game. He wouldn't say whether he has a lawyer and when asked if he is concerned about his own situation, Pierce replied only: "No. I'm fine where I'm at."
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he spoke to his players about Burress' situation but wouldn't get into specifics.
"We all are upset about what happened with Plaxico, and hopefully he's going to be fine and so on and so forth. That's our first concern," Coughlin said.
Reese and Giants president and CEO John Mara said they hadn't spoken to Burress, who hurt his hamstring two weeks ago.
"I reached out to him," Reese said. "I did not get a return phone call."
Mara repeatedly said the Giants would cooperate with the police and the NFL in their investigations.
Burress caught the go-ahead touchdown pass in the Giants' Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots in February, following a regular season in which he scored a career-high 12 TDs. He was rewarded with a $35 million, five-year contract.
Burress has 35 catches for 454 yards and four touchdowns while constantly drawing double coverage this season.
Off the field, he was suspended for a game against Seattle in October and fined $117,500 for missing a team meeting and failing to notify the Giants of his absence. He said he had a family emergency.
Burress also was fined $45,000 by the NFL for his conduct during a game against San Francisco in which he abused an official and tossed a ball into the stands.
AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich in Landover, Md. and Football Writer Dave Goldberg contributed to this report. |