NFL | Alleged shooter's lawyer says Jones fabricated story

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LAS VEGAS — The lawyer for the man accused of shooting three people after a strip-club melee involving cornerback Adam Jones alleged Tuesday that Jones "completely fabricated" the story that led to his client's arrest.

"This entire case rests upon the statement of Adam 'Pacman' Jones," lawyer Jeffrey Segal told the judge who heard Arvin Kenti Edwards of Renton plead not guilty to charges that could put him in prison for the rest of his life.

"Pacman Jones' story is completely fabricated," Segal said outside court.

Valorie Vega, Clark County District Court judge, set trial for March 2 and bail for Edwards at $2 million. Segal said he intends to file a request for a lower bail amount.

In court, Segal told the judge police arrested the wrong man based on the word of a troubled sports figure whose account of an NBA All-Star weekend melee inside the Minxx strip club and the shooting outside couldn't be trusted.

Segal said Jones refused to cooperate with investigators after the Feb. 19, 2007, shooting, then identified Edwards "after making a deal with the state where felony charges were dismissed so that he could get himself reinstated with the NFL."

Police said Jones, 24, who was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Dallas Cowboys in April, "instigated" a brawl inside the club by showering strippers on stage with dollar bills from a large plastic trash bag.

Jones was charged with two felony counts of coercion stemming from allegations he threatened to kill club employees and scuffled with a bar bouncer. He was not charged in the shooting.

Edwards, 29, could face up to 186 years in Nevada state prison if convicted of all seven felony charges against him: three counts of attempted murder, three counts of battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm and one count of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

Prosecutor Victoria Villegas told the judge Segal was wrong, and that Jones was one of two people to identify Edwards as the shooter.

Notes

• A year after ex-Washington Husky Tank Johnson wasn't in a training camp or on a roster, and still facing an eight-game league suspension because of off-field issues, the nose tackle's exuberant personality is starting to show with the Dallas Cowboys.

"I was in witness protection last year. I'm out now," said the 26-year-old Johnson, who was released by Chicago in June 2007. "I can come out and do my thing a little bit and have fun with this team because this team is a lot of fun."

• The Denver Broncos will start the season without receiver Brandon Marshall, who was suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell for three games for violating the league's personal-conduct policy.

Marshall, 24, was summoned to Goodell's New York office July 18 to explain a series of alleged off-the-field misdeeds over the past year, most notably his March arrest on a domestic-violence warrant filed by his former girlfriend in Atlanta.

• The league implemented a new code of fan conduct, warning that spectators who misbehave will be ejected from stadiums and be barred from coming back.

It includes bans on: behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal; drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behavior; and foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.

• Cincinnati has signed ex-USC linebacker Keith Rivers, 22, the ninth player drafted this year.

• Kyle Boller, 27, will start at quarterback for Baltimore in its exhibition opener Thursday at New England.

• Cleveland safety Gary Baxter, 29, attempting a comeback from two knee injuries, underwent surgery to have loose cartilage removed.

• Lingering symptoms from a concussion have forced rookie linebacker Robert James of Arizona State to be shut down for the season by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons waived fifth-round pick James, 24, but will retain his rights.