Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown, in Miami for attempted murder case, can travel for work
Former NFL star Antonio Brown — who was extradited from Dubai to face trial for a Miami attempted murder case — will be allowed to travel within the state to work, a judge ruled Friday.
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez granted Brown, 37, the opportunity to travel to Tampa for business for a week in late January. Brown’s defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh said Brown’s presence was needed in meetings with an exotic and luxury car rental company and in music studio sessions.
Prosecutors objected to Brown’s request, saying he was a flight risk because in November, police extradited him from the United Arab Emirates. The former All-Pro wide receiver was wanted on an attempted murder charge stemming from a May 16 dispute at a boxing event hosted by influencer Adin Ross.
READ MORE: Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown granted bond in Miami attempted murder case
Since posting a $25,000 bond, Brown has been on a low-level house arrest, which allows him to work while wearing an ankle monitor.
During the hearing, Tinkler Mendez said Friday’s ruling didn’t mean Brown’s travel requests would be a “regular approval,” adding that whether any future travel plans are approved will depends on the circumstances. Eiglarsh said Brown will be living at his “primary private residence” in Tampa with his partner, who is pregnant, and several of his children.
Fight at boxing event escalates
On May 16, Brown allegedly punched Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a 41-year-old, during the scuffle. Detectives interviewed Nantambu, who said he tried to leave after Brown attacked him. But Brown, he asserted, chased him with a gun and fired at him — possibly grazing his neck.
Video of the incident outside the boxing event showed Brown appearing to hold a gun and running out of frame. Seconds later, gunshots were heard.
Brown has pleaded not guilty and is claiming self-defense under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.
“The actions he was forced to take were solely in self-defense against the alleged victim’s violent behavior,” Eiglarsh previously said. “Brown was attacked that night and acted within his legal right to protect himself.”
At the scene, Brown, the warrant says, was detained and searched. No firearm was found on him, although police found two spent shell casings and a damaged right-handed holster outside the venue. He was released because the man shot, later identified as Nantambu, was no longer at the venue.
READ MORE: Antonio Brown’s false accusations put Miami jeweler in Dubai jail for month: lawsuit
Brown and Nantambu had a history, court records show. Three years ago, Brown falsely accused Nantambu, who designs and sells jewelry, of stealing $3 million in jewelry from him, the documents say. The man spent a month in a Middle Eastern jail before proving that Brown lied.
Attorney Richard Cooper, who is representing Nantambu, told the Miami Herald that Nantambu is grateful to law enforcement “for bringing the defendant back after this dangerous criminal had fled the country.”
“It was Mr. Brown’s intention to kill my client,” Cooper said at Brown’s bond hearing.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan. 27.
