Looks like some people may have jumped the gun on askew.

[Kazkal]

Askew might sue

By GEOFF HOBSON

July 23, 2006

Updated: 7-24-06, 3:30 p.m.

After a hospital visit to check his heart following Saturday’s Tasing by Cincinnati police, Bengals defensive tackle Matthias Askew is mulling a lawsuit.

“It’s an option, but we’re looking to get the quickest court date possible,” said attorney Ken Lawson on Monday after he entered a plea of not guilty for obstruction of police business, resisting arrest and two parking violations for his client.

Lawson disputed a police report that said Askew threatened officers and tried to run away after illegally parking his car on a Cumminsville street in front of an outdoor booth selling CDs.

“When he was told police wanted him to move his car, he put down his CDs because he hadn’t bought them yet and got in his car and went forward to move it,” Lawson said. “Then they told him to get out of the car with his hands up. I would argue he no longer had a parking violation because he took the offer to move it.”

Lawson said police overreacted when they stunned the 6-6, 310-pound Askew at least three times because all he did was pull his wrist away when he was surprised that handcuffs were being used. He also said Askew was Tased while kneeling on the ground and handcuffed.

“He didn’t flee,” Lawson said.

Lawson said paramedics examined Askew and since his heart beat continued to race moments after he was Tased, he was transported to University Hospital.

“He was able to leave the hospital after getting checked and he didn’t feel much from it today,” Lawson said. “The big thing is his health because that’s how he makes his living.

“I know people are out there saying that the Bengals have bad guys, but they’re not all bad guys,” he said. “I think this is a case of overreaction. The first red flag is somebody getting Tased over a parking ticket.”

Askew became the fourth Bengal arrested in the offseason. The Associated Press reported that when officers tried to handcuff Askew after he refused to move his car, they Tasered him when he broke away. Askew, who was also charged with obstructing official business, didn’t identify himself when asked, according to the AP.

The Bengals don't comment on arrests.

Head coach Marvin Lewis has already said that wide receiver Chris Henry, facing a suspension with four arrests since Dec. 15, has a battle to make the team. Plus, since he missed all of the spring camp recovering from his knee injury, he could miss the first six games of the season if the club decides to put him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. A suspension would cost him at least four more games.

Rookie linebacker A.J. Nicholson, facing grand theft and vandalism charges, also has to grind to make the team after the Bengals selected Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks in the third round of the supplemental draft.

Third-round pick Frostee Rucker, the defensive end from USC, is also looking at a vandalism charge as well as spousal battery.

Askew, who left Michigan State a year early for the 2004 draft, has never realized the potential the Bengals hoped to tap when they took him as a project in the fourth round. Because of injuries and not impressing the coaches in practice, Askew has played in only a handful of games. He played in only one last year, the regular-season finale that the Bengals didn’t have to win to make the playoffs.

Now with the signing of three-time Pro Bowler Sam Adams, the emergence of Shaun Smith, and the drafting of another Michigan State tackle in the fourth round (Domata Peko), Askew is embroiled in a roster battle.

Though it may be BS but makes more sense then him trying to run away because of a parking ticket.

[GregCook]

I doubt this incident will affect his status on the team. He's had 2 years to cement his status and going into this season, there was no reason to think he'd make the team. I agree though, his alleged crime pales compared to QuickDraw Henry's, Frostee Slugger's or AG GrandTheft Nickleson problems.

In the Marvin era, this is the first year when new draft picks won't make the club. Will a third rounder get cut? Could half the 2006 draft be cut?

[semiotter]

I doubt this incident will affect his status on the team. He's had 2 years to cement his status and going into this season, there was no reason to think he'd make the team. I agree though, his alleged crime pales compared to QuickDraw Henry's, Frostee Slugger's or AG GrandTheft Nickleson problems.

In the Marvin era, this is the first year when new draft picks won't make the club. Will a third rounder get cut? Could half the 2006 draft be cut?

First I say cut the bad apples from the tree cuz it cant help the team only hurt it plus it makes the rest see you aint playing around the this stuff. But only if they are guilty first. Henry should go, I hate to see it but he is out of control and I dont see how or why he is not cut already. Its been a rough summer and I bet its driving Marvin crazy... P.S. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet sig. ETD.....

[ArmyBengal]

If it's true an the cops overreacted, Askew should sue the hell out them, but it still doesn't change the fact that Askew was probably on his way out. To bad the guy just couldn't figure it out, but it's time to end this particular project...

WHODEY !!!

[turningpoint]

i think it's time for me to put a half naked chick in my sig.

anyways I figured he did nothing wrong.

[ArmyBengal]

Might want to sue for a whole bunch, because I think he's about to be unemployed !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Kazkal]

I think he still has a chance as much as JT,smith or Brob,if rumors are true about him finilly getting it togather its still worth keeping him if he is able beat out Brob,jt or smith

[kingwilly]

...sounds plausible. Poor Mataser...just buying some CD's, bout to move his car and ....ZAPPPPPPPPPP!!!!ZAAAAAPPPPPPPP!!!

that would suck....

if nothing else, I hope Mikey's lawyer friends are making some money off their legal fees.

[Kazkal]

Well people on bengals.com said this is kinda normal for cinci cops,that they overract and like to harass people.

[Stripes]

Sounds to me like some bored cops were a little trigger happy with their electricity toys.

My first intuition here is to believe Askew, not the police, and that really says a lot.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I think he still has a chance as much as JT,smith or Brob,if rumors are true about him finilly getting it togather its still worth keeping him if he is able beat out Brob,jt or smith

If he's got as much chance as JT they can share a cab out of town. I think BR has a great chance since he can play end or tackle. Smith was coming on at the end of the year. So I'd say he has a chance, but not a great one. I just don't see him beating Smith, but it could happen.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

In a related story, Cincinnati police have claimed that based upon his performance on the field, they were not trying to tase Matthias Askew, but rather to defibrulate him and see if they couldn't start his heart. It appears that for a while now, it has been stopped, with no real interest in getting on the field. Officers say they only wanted to kick start his heart so he would make the team. They are planning to countersue him for defamation of character should he decide to sue them for tasing him.

[Jet23]

Nothing screams guilty like retaining Ken Lawson as your freaking attorney. Yeah, this guy reps innocent people all of the time. PLEASE! I'm sure this is just another example of white cops thumping on non- caucasians for the sport of it.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Nothing screams guilty like retaining Ken Lawson as your freaking attorney. Yeah, this guy reps innocent people all of the time. PLEASE! I'm sure this is just another example of white cops thumping on non- caucasians for the sport of it.

Sadly, true or not, it smells true because for years now, Cincy cops have gone overboard or close to it far too many times.

I still think they were just trying to jump start his heart!

[Kirkendall]

Cincinnati cops get a bad rep, mostly from out of towners (people that don't LIVE in cincy!!!) that see frivulous race creating lawyers that keep the divide. See Ken Lawson; who enjoys criminalizing police rather than doing the duty of protecting his clients. As soon as I saw Lawson, I knew the cops would be made the criminals. This is one of the only cities where guys that commit crimes are considered victims.

It's rather funny.

Cincinnati clowns will do their best to make the cops in Cincy bad, yet council and the mayor's office wonder why crime is out of control in Cincinnati.

I'm not saying a few Cincy cops do bad things -- no city is void of that crap.. but Cincy cops get criminalized when all they did was protect themselves, their partners and did things by the books that were created by clowns of Cincinnati.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Of course it's perfectly normal to be parked on the sidewalk and shopping for Cd's at 2am!

[HairOnFire]

In the Marvin era, this is the first year when new draft picks won't make the club. Will a third rounder get cut? Could half the 2006 draft be cut?

Good point. Character issues aside, it was going to be pretty difficult for most of the draft picks selected after the 3rd or 4th round to make this club simply because of the improved level of talent.

[Stripes]

Of course it's perfectly normal to be parked on the sidewalk and shopping for Cd's at 2am!

I might not park on the sidewalk, but sure I do that all the time. If I'm going to be in and out very quickly and think I can get away with it... Then I might use the sidewalk too.

[BlainThePain]

Of course it's perfectly normal to be parked on the sidewalk and shopping for Cd's at 2am!

I might not park on the sidewalk, but sure I do that all the time. If I'm going to be in and out very quickly and think I can get away with it... Then I might use the sidewalk too.

I go late-night shopping for DVDs and CDs all of the time, too. Sometimes I can't sleep and get bored, so I go and grab a new movie to watch or something new to listen to. As for the Askew situation, I could see the cops easily being trigger happy with the taser in this situation. I'd say coming across someone of Askew's size at 2 in the morning would make even the bravest cop a little nervous.

[Kazkal]

Of course it's perfectly normal to be parked on the sidewalk and shopping for Cd's at 2am!

Um he was arressted at 8pm.

'Bengals defensive tackle Matthias Askew added his name to the team's list of players with legal troubles this offseason when he was arrested Saturday evening in South Cumminsville. Askew, 24, was tased and arrested just before 8 p.m. in the 3700 block of Beekman Street after he refused to comply with officers and tried to flee, according to Cincinnati police.'

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/se...?Category=SPT03

[jditty47]

like i said in the smackforum. does anyone believe its right to taser someone for a mere parking ticket?

just for his size? give me a break.

[West Coast Bengal]

the moment I heard about this, I thought the cops probably over reacted. The cincinnati police have lost all credibility in my eyes and are known for their quick draw antics that have gotten them in trouble so many times. It sucks that this is the last straw type of incindent that has us all over ESPN and what not with bad media.

[Stripes]

I don't think it's just a problem with Cincinnati police. This crap happens everywhere, and most people naturally turn a blind eye, myself included.

[cincy90]

If you believe Askew before the police, you are an idiot. Enough said. You can't pay those guys enough.

[Stripes]

If you believe Askew before the police, you are an idiot.

Tell me that when you get hit with a taser for a parking violation.