Former NFL defensive lineman Barry Cofield, a starter on the Giants Super Bowl 42 championship defense, has plead not guilty to charges stemming from a wild police chase in July.
Cofield, 34, was found passed out behind the wheel of his Cadillac Escalade around 2:30 a.m. Florida police woke up the 10-year NFL vet after finding two bags of cocaine in his pocket. What happened next was sheer madness. Here are the details from TMZ.
Cops in Seminole County, Florida say they found the 34-year-old passed out behind the wheel of a Cadillac Escalade around 2:40 AM on July 3 … and when they tried to wake him up, he punched the gas and led cops on a wild chase. Cops say the 6’4″, 250 pounder drove into a white 4-door vehicle — but didn’t stop — and eventually led officers into a gated community … where he continued to drive like a maniac. Eventually, cops say they used a squad car to block Cofield in — but he tried to ram through the vehicle. That’s when cops got out of their cars and tried to smash in Cofield’s window in an effort to drag him out of the driver’s seat.
Cofield ultimately surrendered — and cops say during the arrest they found two small baggies of heroin in his pocket. Cops also say Cofield reeked of alcohol. He was initially booked on 5 charges — heroin possession, assaulting an officer, DUI, resisting arrest and fleeing from police. But, the charges were later reduced to just heroin possession and DUI causing damage or injury.
Cofield’s attorney appeared in court on Wednesday where he entered in a not guilty plea. He faces 5 years behind prison if convicted.