Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown appeared in a Miami court on Friday, where a judge granted him permission to travel outside the county while his high-profile criminal case continues. The hearing focused on a request from Brown's legal team, which was strongly opposed by state prosecutors who argued he was a flight risk.
Judge Rules in Favor of Travel Request
Despite objections from the prosecution, Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez approved Brown's motion to temporarily reside in Tampa. Prosecutors had pointed to Brown's history of international travel, including a trip to Dubai, as evidence he might flee. However, the judge set specific conditions for the move.
Brown's GPS monitor will be removed for the duration of his stay in Tampa but must be reinstated immediately upon his return to Miami-Dade County. Court documents indicate his travel is for scheduled business engagements with Energetic Exotic, a luxury car rental company, and pre-arranged music studio sessions. He will stay at his primary private residence in Tampa.
The Alleged Shooting Incident
The legal case stems from an incident on May 16 last year, following a celebrity boxing event in Miami. Brown is accused of firing two gunshots at a man named Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu after a physical altercation. Investigators claim one bullet grazed Nantambu's neck.
Brown has pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted second-degree murder. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The case has drawn significant attention from both the sports and legal worlds.
Self-Defense Claim and Recent Developments
Brown's defense team has taken an aggressive approach, filing a motion to dismiss the charges under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law. They argue Brown acted in self-defense, firing warning shots away from Nantambu because he feared for his life. The motion alleges Nantambu has a history of threatening behavior and had assaulted Brown at previous events.
Recently released police body camera footage shows Brown handcuffed in a patrol car, questioning officers about his detention and complaining of injuries to his knee. In the video, he repeatedly asserts his innocence and asks to contact his mother.
Brown maintains he remained at the scene and cooperated with police, while alleging Nantambu fled with the firearm. Authorities did not arrest Brown immediately; charges were filed days later after Nantambu provided a full statement. The case remains ongoing, with the court yet to rule on the self-defense motion.
This latest ruling provides Brown with a degree of limited freedom as the complex legal proceedings, which include reviewing the newly released footage and the self-defense claim, move forward. The outcome will hinge on the court's interpretation of the confrontation and Florida's self-defense statutes.
