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Troubled receiver’s days in Seattle appear to be over
MIKE SANDO; The News Tribune
Last updated: June 2nd, 2005 02:40 AM
KIRKLAND – Koren Robinson admitted in court papers to being legally drunk in the early-morning hours of May 6, less than a week after he publicly swore off alcohol.
But the Seattle Seahawks receiver disputed DUI and reckless-driving charges by claiming he consumed alcohol after driving and before submitting to a blood-alcohol test, court records show.
Robinson, charged May 12 in Kirkland Municipal Court, pleaded not guilty during arraignment Tuesday. A pretrial hearing is set for July 18.
Robinson’s prominent Bellevue-based attorney, Jon Scott Fox, helped Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens avoid a DUI conviction two years ago. The Web site for Washington Law & Politics magazine ranks Fox among the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state.
And yet there might be nothing a lawyer can do to secure Robinson’s continued employment with the Seahawks.
According to sources, the team has cleaned out Robinson’s locker and removed its nameplate.
This followed an offseason in which new team president Tim Ruskell prepared for life after Robinson by stocking up on experienced receivers.
“We are extremely disappointed and concerned with Koren’s situation,” the team said in a statement. “We have established several programs, both league- and team-sponsored, to support and help him.
“We will continue to encourage him to use this support network and believe he should be held accountable for his actions.”
The team had grown weary of Robinson’s off-field troubles well before this latest incident.
Robinson served a four-game NFL suspension for substance abuse last season, and he later skipped practice one day before the regular-season finale.
After benching Robinson for that game, coach Mike Holmgren allowed his former No. 1 draft choice to return for the playoffs – but only after Robinson promised to seek professional help immediately following the season.
Robinson emerged from alcohol-related treatment in time to attend the team’s postdraft minicamp, at which time he said alcohol was no longer part of his life.
But in court papers, Fox said Robinson’s blood-alcohol content reached or exceeded .10 percent within two hours of driving on May 6. While the state’s legal limit for driving is .08 percent, Robinson’s defense implies that Medina Police cited him after the four-year NFL veteran stopped driving.
Officer David Obermiller’s more detailed account of the evening remains sealed by law until entered into evidence, and Fox said in a statement that the defense has no public comment.
The police report shows a slash through the box reserved for blood-alcohol content, while noting that Robinson was driving a 2003 BMW 760 with four doors and blue paint.
Medina deputy prosecutor Russell Joe is seeking punishment associated with posting a blood-alcohol content of at least .15 percent, or of refusing a blood-alcohol test while carrying no prior DUI convictions.
If the charge is true, Robinson’s blood-alcohol content was either close to double the legal limit for driving, or he refused to take a test. Fox’s statement that Robinson’s blood-alcohol level reached or exceeded .10 percent seems to imply that his client submitted to testing at some point.
At the very least, Robinson was drunk on the night Obermiller cited him for the latest in a long line of alleged criminal driving offenses.
In October, a search of public records revealed 21 cases implicating Robinson for various misdeeds, including four allegations of negligent driving since 2003.
There were 13 other traffic-related cases, including one from April 2004 in which an officer cited Robinson for traveling 105 mph in a 60 zone. That case was later dismissed, court records showed.
Six other incidents originated from Robinson’s home state of North Carolina, including four in 1998.
A search of records showed no conviction for DUI. Robinson, speaking to reporters following an April 30 practice, said he had given up alcohol after realizing he was close to squandering his career.
“I wasn’t really thankful for the opportunity that I was given,” he said. “A lot of people would give an arm and a leg to be in my position. I guess certain things have to happen a certain way for you to really get stuff.”
Or perhaps not. A man weighing roughly 200 pounds, as Robinson does, would have to consume more than five alcoholic drinks per hour to reach .10 percent blood-alcohol content, according to a chart on Fox’s Web site (www.duidefense.com).
If convicted of the charges as stated, court papers show that Robinson’s minimum sentence would be 48 hours in jail or no fewer than 30 days in electronic home monitoring, plus a $1,078 fine and one year’s suspension or revocation of driving privileges.
Robinson also would face no less than one year with an ignition interlocking device.
The maximum penalty would be 365 days in jail with a $5,000 fine, plus reimbursement for court costs and revocation of Robinson’s license to drive.
Robinson has requested a jury trial.
Mike Sando: 425-822-9504
mike.sando@thenewstribune.com
MIKE SANDO; The News Tribune
Last updated: June 2nd, 2005 02:40 AM
KIRKLAND – Koren Robinson admitted in court papers to being legally drunk in the early-morning hours of May 6, less than a week after he publicly swore off alcohol.
But the Seattle Seahawks receiver disputed DUI and reckless-driving charges by claiming he consumed alcohol after driving and before submitting to a blood-alcohol test, court records show.
Robinson, charged May 12 in Kirkland Municipal Court, pleaded not guilty during arraignment Tuesday. A pretrial hearing is set for July 18.
Robinson’s prominent Bellevue-based attorney, Jon Scott Fox, helped Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens avoid a DUI conviction two years ago. The Web site for Washington Law & Politics magazine ranks Fox among the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state.
And yet there might be nothing a lawyer can do to secure Robinson’s continued employment with the Seahawks.
According to sources, the team has cleaned out Robinson’s locker and removed its nameplate.
This followed an offseason in which new team president Tim Ruskell prepared for life after Robinson by stocking up on experienced receivers.
“We are extremely disappointed and concerned with Koren’s situation,” the team said in a statement. “We have established several programs, both league- and team-sponsored, to support and help him.
“We will continue to encourage him to use this support network and believe he should be held accountable for his actions.”
The team had grown weary of Robinson’s off-field troubles well before this latest incident.
Robinson served a four-game NFL suspension for substance abuse last season, and he later skipped practice one day before the regular-season finale.
After benching Robinson for that game, coach Mike Holmgren allowed his former No. 1 draft choice to return for the playoffs – but only after Robinson promised to seek professional help immediately following the season.
Robinson emerged from alcohol-related treatment in time to attend the team’s postdraft minicamp, at which time he said alcohol was no longer part of his life.
But in court papers, Fox said Robinson’s blood-alcohol content reached or exceeded .10 percent within two hours of driving on May 6. While the state’s legal limit for driving is .08 percent, Robinson’s defense implies that Medina Police cited him after the four-year NFL veteran stopped driving.
Officer David Obermiller’s more detailed account of the evening remains sealed by law until entered into evidence, and Fox said in a statement that the defense has no public comment.
The police report shows a slash through the box reserved for blood-alcohol content, while noting that Robinson was driving a 2003 BMW 760 with four doors and blue paint.
Medina deputy prosecutor Russell Joe is seeking punishment associated with posting a blood-alcohol content of at least .15 percent, or of refusing a blood-alcohol test while carrying no prior DUI convictions.
If the charge is true, Robinson’s blood-alcohol content was either close to double the legal limit for driving, or he refused to take a test. Fox’s statement that Robinson’s blood-alcohol level reached or exceeded .10 percent seems to imply that his client submitted to testing at some point.
At the very least, Robinson was drunk on the night Obermiller cited him for the latest in a long line of alleged criminal driving offenses.
In October, a search of public records revealed 21 cases implicating Robinson for various misdeeds, including four allegations of negligent driving since 2003.
There were 13 other traffic-related cases, including one from April 2004 in which an officer cited Robinson for traveling 105 mph in a 60 zone. That case was later dismissed, court records showed.
Six other incidents originated from Robinson’s home state of North Carolina, including four in 1998.
A search of records showed no conviction for DUI. Robinson, speaking to reporters following an April 30 practice, said he had given up alcohol after realizing he was close to squandering his career.
“I wasn’t really thankful for the opportunity that I was given,” he said. “A lot of people would give an arm and a leg to be in my position. I guess certain things have to happen a certain way for you to really get stuff.”
Or perhaps not. A man weighing roughly 200 pounds, as Robinson does, would have to consume more than five alcoholic drinks per hour to reach .10 percent blood-alcohol content, according to a chart on Fox’s Web site (www.duidefense.com).
If convicted of the charges as stated, court papers show that Robinson’s minimum sentence would be 48 hours in jail or no fewer than 30 days in electronic home monitoring, plus a $1,078 fine and one year’s suspension or revocation of driving privileges.
Robinson also would face no less than one year with an ignition interlocking device.
The maximum penalty would be 365 days in jail with a $5,000 fine, plus reimbursement for court costs and revocation of Robinson’s license to drive.
Robinson has requested a jury trial.
Mike Sando: 425-822-9504
mike.sando@thenewstribune.com