Shawne Merriman escapes criminal charges, civil charges to be filed

Photo by 'Keith Allison' via FlickrTila Tequila, a famous MTV star, is pursing civil charges against Shawne Merriman, a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, for choking her and holding her against her will at his home in San Diego.

If you did not know who Tila Tequlia was 2 weeks ago, it is fair to say you do now. So much has been circulating about the reported assault by San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman, but alas, we have an answer — well, kind of.

The District Attorney has decided not to press criminal charges agains Merriman on the battery and false imprisonment charges. The decision comes just in time for kick-off against the Raiders, but Merriman might not be completely out of the clear. Tequila’s reps say she will file civil charges.

Reports of what happened that night are mixed. Shawne Merriman claims Tila Tequila was drunk that night, took off her clothes, and tried to leave the house. It was then that Shawne tried to stop her from leaving and driving drunk.

Tequila tells a different story. She called 911 and signed a citizen’s arrest warrant accusing Merriman of and false imprisonment and battery.

Shawne Merriman has been persistant in his belief that he has done nothing wrong. He says, “I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported.” Tila claimed to have a neck injury and was seen by a paramedic, but when they took a look at her, they said she was fine.

Photo by 'sarahinvegas' via Flickr

The case was dismissed last Friday, September 11 because there wasn’t enough evidence to prove that Merriman committed the crime.

Upon investigation of Tequila’s reports that she wasn’t drunk (and never gets drunk), authorities used the website Twitter to discover several status updates saying she was indeed drunk. There were witnesses who saw Tequila intoxicated at Merriman’s home as well as at the club they attended.

Tila Tequila will pursue a civil claim. She maintains that she was assaulted and she has bruises on her arms to prove it.

How will this case affect Merriman and the Chargers in their game tonight against the Raiders? San Diegans will have to watch and see.

For more information, read the Entertainer’s previous story about the altercation.