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Merriman Responds To Lawsuit Filed By Tila Tequila

POSTED: 5:05 pm PST November 18, 2009
UPDATED: 5:57 pm PST November 18, 2009

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman talked to 10News Wednesday about the lawsuit filed against him by reality TV star Tila Tequila.

The lawsuit stems from an incident in Merriman's Poway home in September after which Tequila accused Merriman of assaulting her when she tried to leave his house following a party.

Merriman was arrested, but the San Diego County District Attorney's Office believed there was not enough evidence to file charges.

Tequila's lawsuit accuses Merriman of choking her until she almost passed out. Photos of her bruised arms and neck were attached to the court filing.

Merriman, who did not practice Wednesday due to an injury, discussed the lengthy lawsuit and responded to some of the allegations.

"The DA's office, you know, said I didn't do anything wrong. It's just a very unfortunate situation, it's sad really, but it's something you've got to deal with and, you know, I've dealt with it and still obviously dealing with it, so it'll handle itself," said Merriman. In the suit, Tequila said she "refused to take any drugs" but Merriman told her, "You don't have a choice."

The suit goes on that Tequila "was against his personal drug use (steroids, ecstasy, pot), his violent behavior and hearing that defendant had slept with a minor."

Then she charged that Merriman -- six feet four inches tall, weighing 280 pounds -- began to chase her down the hall, grabbed Tequila by her arms and started to "shake her like a rag doll."

Pictures, included in the lawsuit file, showed close-ups of dark spots on her neck and her arms. The bruising was inflicted when she tried to leave, she said.

Tequila is seeking unspecified damages, and the suit claimed she "suffered injury to her physical and mental health, embarrassment, humiliation, fear, anxiety, emotional distress and injury to her reputation."

"Yeah, I don't even want to get into all that stuff; that's just something for people to read. Obviously it wasn't something that was part of the original incident; it's just something to be talked about," Merriman said of the drug accusations.

Merriman was suspended for using steroids in 2006, but he said he's not worried about his fans doubting him.

"I don't think there's anything to be cleared; I was already cleared. The DA's office already said so," said Merriman.

Chargers head coach Norv Turner said little about the suit, and added it's not a team issue but a Merriman issue that he seems to be handling fine on his own.
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