Bills defensive tackle Adolphus Washington plead not guilty in Hamilton County Court to a misdemeanor charge of improperly carrying a concealed weapon during a July 9 arrest, 7 Eyewitness News has confirmed.
Washington was arrested by police as they worked to clear out a water park parking lot near Washington's home in Cincinnati.
Washington's lawyer Clyde Bennett told 7 Eyewitness Sports Reporter Nick Filipowski the charges against his client are "factually and legally inappropriate" and that he's filed a motion to dismiss the case.
According to the police report Washington "reached for and displayed a gun while sitting inside his vehicle, just feet away from officers. The suspect did not inform officers beforehand. Suspect was arrested, process at the PD and released."
"The facts just don't constitute a crime. What Mr. Washington did does not constitute a crime," Bennett said in a phone interview. "As a result of that, I have filed a motion to dismiss and we intend and plan for the case to be dismissed en lieu of going to trial."
In police video obtained by 7 Eyewitness News following the incident, police question Washington as they why the gun was out.
“Do you know how lucky you are man? That was close buddy. That was close," an officer said as Washington sat in the back of his patrol car.
“Why in the hell would you have that gun in your hand when I’m standing in front of you? What could you be thinking? I saw you reach for it, I knew something was up," the officer said adding: “99 percent of the time what would have happened tonight?"
Washington responded, “I would have been shot dead tonight. I understand. I understand.”
You can watch the video and read the full transcript between Washington and officers here: Video released in Bills player Adolphus Washington's arrest
A pre-trail conference is set for August 1.
