Adrian Peterson of Minnesota Vikings Enters Plea to Lesser Charges For Child Abuse Case

Minnesota Vikings Runningback Adrian Peterson has had a rough 2014 NFL season as much of his opposition has been off the field issues. Last month Peterson was at the center of quite a few issues. The main issue was a child abuse case that actually led to his arrest. We have learned today that Peterson entered a plea to lesser charges to avoid jail time. The plea deal resulted in a $4,000.00 fine and 80 hours of mandatory community service. ESPN has more:

Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson avoided jail time Tuesday in a plea agreement reached with prosecutors to resolve his child abuse case.

Under the agreement approved by Montgomery County state District Judge Kelly Case and announced during a scheduled court hearing, Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault.

Case deferred a finding of guilt for two years while imposing a $4,000 fine and 80 hours of community service on Peterson.

"I'm just glad this is over," Peterson said shortly after Tuesday's plea deal was announced. "I can put this behind me, and me and my family can move forward. I truly regret this incident," Peterson said. "I take full responsibility for my actions. I love my son more than anyone you could even imagine, and I'm anxious to continue my relationship with my child."

The NFL and the Vikings have not yet announced whether they will suspend Peterson, who already has missed eight games with pay this season under the terms of the commissioner's exempt list.

League spokesperson Brian McCarthy did not offer a timetable for when the NFL will make a decision, telling ESPN's Ben Goessling that the league "will review the court documents."

Last month, a visiting judge denied a request by prosecutors to remove Case as judge in the case. Prosecutors had accused Case of being biased against them and wanted a new judge appointed.

The plea deal made moot a pending motion by prosecutors to revoke Peterson's $15,000 bond for alleged marijuana use.

 

Much of the Minnesota Vikings locker room is anxious to have Peterson back on the field, all eyes are on Commissioner Goodell to see if he can get off the commissioner's exempt list.

@LordBrianJames