Philadelphia

Philadelphia D.A. on LeSean McCoy Investigation: ‘Our Only Timetable is Justice'

Philadelphia's district attorney on Thursday said the delay in developments related to NFL star LeSean McCoy's alleged brawl with off-duty police officers more than two weeks ago is a result of his office wanting to conduct a thorough investigation.

"Philadelphians elected me to charge the right people with the right crimes. Nothing more, nothing less. The only timetable we have is justice, getting it right," Seth Williams told news crews after he spoke to schoolkids about bullying at an event. "That would be a miscarriage of justice for me to charge, to arrest the wrong people, or to not charge people that should be charged. The only way we can do that is by asking lots of questions."

Williams stressed that he wants to make the right decision when his office obtains enough evidence in the case. He declined to talk about what evidence investigators have so far, or to say what McCoy said to prosecutors when he met with them earlier this week.

McCoy earlier this week denied any fault in the brawl, which left two off-duty Philadelphia officers injured, according to NBC10 sources.

McCoy met with prosecutors from the District Attorney's Office Tuesday to tell his side of the story about what happened that night. The meeting was initially supposed to take place at the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office but the location was changed to the office of McCoy's defense attorney Dennis Cogan on 20th and Market streets, according to sources. After meeting for two and a half hours, Cogan escorted McCoy out of the building and spoke briefly to reporters.

"He did nothing wrong," Cogan said. "But I'm not going to say anything more about it and thank you." 

The former Philadelphia Eagle and three friends allegedly got into an early-morning brawl with two off-duty Philadelphia police officers inside Recess nightclub along S. 2nd Street on February 7. The incident apparently stemmed from a dispute over Champagne and was caught on video.

Former NFL running back Curtis Brinkley was also involved in the fight, sources said.

Both officers suffered serious injuries including broken bones and bruises. NBC10 obtained photos Tuesday of the officers, Darnell Jessie and Roland Butler. The pictures show Jessie with blood on his shirt and stitches above his eye. Another photo shows Butler with a swollen left eye.

Darnell Jessie
Anonymous
Darnell Jessie was one of the off-duty Philly police officers injured in a fight at Recess Lounge that allegedly involved LeSean McCoy. These are photos of Jessie after the fight.
Roland-Butler
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Off-Duty officer Roland Butler

The police union has been vocal about prosecutors making a decision on charges in the case. John McNesby, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 president, said Friday the video showed a clear aggravated assault and demanded justice.

Seth Williams, the Philadelphia DA, responded later in the day saying he doesn't "succumb to pressure" while investigating cases.

During Tuesday's meeting, McCoy had a chance to share his side of the story. It was his first face to face meeting with authorities involved in investigating and prosecuting the case. Sources told NBC10 Williams was not at the meeting. Sources also said McCoy denied having any fault in the incident and instead shifted blame on the officers.

Jessie's attorney Fortunato Perri Jr. told NBC10 the meeting between McCoy and prosecutors was not unusual and he wasn't surprised by McCoy's comments regarding what happened.

"It certainly doesn't surprise me that someone would distance themselves from criminal conduct when they're the target of a criminal investigation," he said.

While Perri told NBC10 he's confident someone will be charged, the District Attorney's Office hasn't given any indication if or when that will happen.

McCoy, a running back, played six seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Buffalo Bills.

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