1. No marks on her
2. Police confirm alcohol was involved despite her and her attorney's claims
We'll see, but I'm of the belief that this is overblow hyperbole unless proven otherwise.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local-beat/Tequila-Vs-Merriman-57841207.htmlTequila Vs. MerrimanChargers linebacker Shawne Merriman says he was trying to stop a friend from driving drunk. It’s been debated whether TV personality Tila Tequila was under the influence of alcohol when she attempted to leave Merriman’s Poway home early Sunday. But whether Tequila was impaired or not, law enforcement and legal experts say you can’t use unreasonable force to stop a person from getting into a car.
San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested and accused of choking and manhandling Tequila, an MTV reality show persona whose real last name is Nguyen. She signed a citizen’s arrest charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment.
“We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety,” Merriman said in a written statement.
Tequila posted a note on Twitter that said: “I’m allergic to alcohol…That is how I got the name Tila ‘Tequila’ cuz the irony. I cant drink.”
The owner of the night club where Merriman and Tequila spent the evening partying in a VIP area took the rare step of commenting on what his employees reported to him about the night.
“It sounds like she’s allergic to the truth,” Stingaree owner James Brennan told the Associated Press. Brennan says Tequila drank shots of tequila and drank from a bottle of vodka. “She wasn’t falling down or anything of that nature, but she was visibly intoxicated.”
A spokesperson from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department says there are basic steps allowable for stopping a person from getting behind the wheel. “You can take their keys, call them a cab or drive for them,” said public affairs officer Susan Plese. “But you probably shouldn’t assault them. If you’ve tried everything and they drive away, call 911.”
Tequila was examined by paramedics and no injuries were reported. Asked if he threw Tequila to the ground, Merriman declined comment.
“You don’t have a legal right to force someone to do what’s good for them,” says David Steinberg, a professor who teaches criminal law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. “Granted, we don’t know what went on. But it’s implausible to say you choked someone for their own good.”
Steinberg said Merriman would not be legally liable if Tequila did leave his house in a drunken state and then inflicted bodily harm on herself or others.
“These are complex situations,” said Eloisa Orozco, program specialist for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “At MADD, we focus on alternate transportation or getting a designated driver ahead of time. Plan ahead—but if you do get in a situation, use common sense.”
http://www.10news.com/news/20809981/detail.htmlAttorney Disputes Merriman's Claim Tequila Was Drunk
A Sheriff's Spokeswoman Said, "There Was Alcohol Involved, Definitely On The Part Of Ms. Nyugen."SAN DIEGO -- The attorney representing reality TV star and model Tila Nguyen is disputing San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman's claim that she was drunk when the linebacker allegedly choked her and held her against her will in his Poway home.
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."
Gutman represents Nguyen, who is better known as Tila Tequila.
Merriman, 25, was arrested Sunday at his Poway home after Nguyen signed a citizen's arrest complaint of battery and false imprisonment. Merriman has since said Nguyen was drunk and he was only trying to keep her until safe transportation could be provided.
Merriman's ex-girlfriend Gloria Velez told the entertainment Web site TMZ.com that she doesn't believe the linebacker choked Nguyen. Velez said Merriman never laid a hand on her during their four-year relationship, and it would be "out of his character" to violently lash out at a woman.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department released Merriman within three hours of his arrest. It will be up to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office to decide whether charges will be filed, a sheriff's spokeswoman said.
The 25-year-old, 270-pound Charger and the 27-year-old, 93-pound reality star were dating, and had partied at Stingaree nightclub in the Gaslamp District prior to the incident.
Prior to her attorney's statement, Nguyen posted a Twitter message stating she doesn't drink because she is allergic to alcohol.
However, sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said "there was alcohol involved, definitely on the part of Ms. Nyugen." She was taken to Pomerado Hospital for treatment of injuries that were "not serious," according to Caldwell.
Merriman is expected to play when the Chargers begin the 2009 regular season Sept. 14 in a nationally televised game at Oakland.
