Trial Begins For 3 Suspects In Adams' Stabbing
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) — The trial is now underway for three men charged in the stabbing of Pittsburgh Steelers' lineman Mike Adams.
The trial began Tuesday in Pittsburgh for 26-year-old Michael Paranay, 26-year-old Dquay Means and 27-year-old Jerrell Whitlock. They're facing charges ranging from conspiracy to attempted homicide to attempted auto theft.
Lawyers for the three men claim Adams lied about the details of the incident.
Adams, an offensive lineman, was hospitalized for four days after the June 2013 incident.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Stone said Adams parked his truck on the South Side last June when he was approached.
In his opening statements, Stone said: "Three men lurking saw an opportunity to steal a nice truck. They approached Adams about how they like the truck. Michael Paranay says they punched Adams in the head and then Jerrell Whitlock stabbed him in the abdomen, all while Adams did not have the keys."
Apparently, he had left his keys with valet parking.
The alleged stabbing and carjacking took place at about 3 a.m. in the city's South Side, a neighborhood that contains the team's practice facilities but also is known for its bars and nightclubs.
Defense attorney Fred Rabiner who represents Means says Adams was "sloppy drunk" and knocked food out of Paranay's hands outside of a Cambodian restaurant and never apologized.
Rabiner said Adams' motive to lie was a huge, multi-million dollar contract with the Steelers. Plus, he claims Adams was already allegedly on thin ice with the team after testing positive for marijuana before the 2012 draft.
Last summer, during a hearing in which all three defendants were ordered to trial, Adams testified that while standing near his vehicle, Means approached him and said, "What's up? Is that your car? Give it up," and then showed a gun.
He testified that eventually Paranay jumped up and down on the rail of his vehicle, then punched him in the face, and right after that Whitlock stabbed him, lacerating his colon.
Adams quoted Whitlock, who was arrested in Florida, as saying, "Let me kill him."
However, defense attorneys said Adams' credibility could be at issue during trial.
The Steelers drafted the 6-foot-7, 325-pound Adams in the second round in 2012 out of Ohio State.
RELATED LINKS:
3 Suspects In Adams' Stabbing Ordered To Stand Trial (7/18/14)
More News on Mike Adams
More Reports by Bob Allen
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