Broncos' Kircus hit with assault charge
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 05/22/2007 12:29:40 AM MDT
Broncos receiver David Kircus missed the team's mini-camp workout Monday.
He was at the Arapahoe County sheriff's office being charged with second- degree assault, a Class 4 felony stemming from an altercation Kirkus was allegedly involved in about 3:20 a.m. Sunday outside the Centennial home of Jeff Krieger.
There's a good chance Kircus also will miss the Broncos' morning meetings today. After posting a $6,000 bond for his release Monday, Kircus is due back at Arapahoe County District Court at 8:30 a.m. today.
The big question for Kircus, though, is whether the incident will cost him his job with the Broncos.
"Obviously if he didn't handle himself the right way he won't be with us," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "But I'm going to let the due process take care of itself first and find out exactly what the situation is."
At the very least, Kircus is guilty of bad timing. The NFL has put the issue of players' off-field behavior on heightened alert after a year in which Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was murdered, and players such as Adam "Pacman" Jones, Chris Henry and Tank Johnson were involved in multiple incidents with the law.
With the league's reputation at stake, first-year commissioner Roger Goodell recently drew up a stiffer personal-conduct policy that features harsher penalties. Jones was suspended for a year, and Henry received an eight-game suspension that could be extended after he reportedly failed another drug test. Johnson also may be disciplined by the league.
Against this backdrop of lower tolerance came the incident involving Kircus. According to an Arapahoe County sheriff's department report, Kircus was invited by a female acquaintance to a party at Krieger's home.
Witnesses said that while at the party, there was a disagreement between the woman and Kircus. Krieger interceded, repeatedly telling Kircus to leave. At around 3:20 a.m., Kircus was near his truck at the end of Krieger's driveway when an altercation took place.
Kircus allegedly punched Krieger, who suffered multiple facial fractures and was taken by friends to Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree. It wasn't until Krieger was at the hospital that police were summoned to his home by witnesses, arriving at 4:27 a.m. Krieger underwent facial surgery and was released from the hospital Monday morning.
Initially, Arapahoe County planned to order Kircus to participate in a lineup for positive identification, but the exercise was deemed unnecessary as the investigation continued.
"There were plenty of witnesses who recognized (Kircus)," said Capt. Brice Moomaw, the Arapahoe County spokesman for the case.
Shanahan said Kircus' version of the incident was considerably different from the accounts told by those at Krieger's party, indicating there may be a question about who instigated the altercation.
"You don't know if a guy's defending himself, or the guy punches you, or throws a punch and does hit you," Shanahan said.
Said Moomaw: "I guess that's what the court system is there for. There's enough to substantiate the charges."
Kircus will get a day in court this morning. He will be represented by high-profile attorney Harvey Steinberg. To be sure, Kircus has much at stake. There is the possible punishment within the judicial system - a conviction of a Class 4 felony can carry a sentence of two to six years imprisonment - and there is the possible consequence levied by the Broncos.
"Let's find out if he's guilty or not," Shanahan said. "If he's guilty, then he'll pay the penalty. If he's not, then he'll be with us."
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