DUI-related charge against McNair dropped

The Baltimore Sun

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Ravens scored their first victory of the season, 19 days before the start of training camp.

A drunken driving-related charge against Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was dropped yesterday, which virtually guarantees he won't be disciplined by the NFL.

The charge against McNair - which is commonly referred to as "driving under the influence by consent" - was dismissed at the Nashville criminal court after a charge against his brother-in-law, Jamie Cartwright, was reduced from DUI to reckless driving.

"I'm glad it's over," McNair said while leaving the courtroom. "That's all that matters."

Dressed in a black suit and gray shirt, McNair declined to comment further and did not answer a question about whether this incident would change his lifestyle.

McNair was arrested May 9 on the little-known Tennessee misdemeanor offense that prohibits a vehicle owner from letting the vehicle be driven by someone who is inebriated.

Cartwright was driving McNair's Dodge pickup when police stopped it for allegedly going 45 mph in a 35-mph zone. He was charged with drunken driving after failing a field sobriety test and refusing to take a Breathalyzer test, according to police.

As part of his plea bargain agreement, Cartwright will serve two days in jail within a month, pay a $350 fine and attend DUI school.

"It was a good resolution for all sides," said Ed Ryan, the attorney for Cartwright.

Once Cartwright reached the settlement, Assistant District Attorney Michel Claire Bottoms announced the state had to dismiss McNair's charge because there was no longer any DUI.

Seated in the third row of the courtroom, McNair flashed a small grin when the charge was officially dropped.

In a statement released later by the Ravens, McNair said: "I said before that I thought I did the right thing that night, and the court process had to play out. I've been getting ready for the start of training camp, and I'm ready to go. I'm looking forward to getting back on the field with my teammates and coaches. Right now, I'm going to take a little vacation with my family."

This was the same agreement that had been in place since the first pre-trial conference May 30, but prosecutors decided to delay the case 41 days for further review.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league would have to review the case but he did not expect McNair to face league discipline.

"This is good news and what we expected," Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne said of the courtroom ruling.

McNair will begin his second season as the Ravens' starting quarterback when the team reports to training camp July 29.

Last season, McNair led the Ravens to a 13-3 record and the AFC North title, throwing for 3,050 yards and 16 touchdowns.

"He's a good individual," said Roger May, McNair's attorney. "He tried to do what he thought was the right thing in this situation without knowing it was in violation of Tennessee law."

This is the second time that a case against McNair has been dropped.

In May 2003, McNair was arrested in Nashville on charges of driving under the influence and illegal gun possession. The charges were dismissed after a judge threw out the evidence, stating that police didn't have sufficient reason to pull him over.

"I think this has made an impression on him," May said. "He's not an individual that I think you will see up here again. He's not an individual that I think will be in trouble again."

jamison.hensley@baltsun.com

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