Merriman Escapes Charges In Tila Tequila Incident

Date: 09/12/09 | Newsroom
Filed under: Reality TV, Tila Tequila

San Diego Chargers athlete Shawne Merriman will not face charges nearly a week after he allegedly assaulted MTV reality star Tila Tequila.

"Our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed," District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced Friday.

According to Dumanis, the case, which stemmed from a citizen's arrest alleging that Tequila had been choked and restrained, is closed and no further comment will be made.

Merriman was arrested and booked by sheriff's deputies last weekend while Tequila aka Tila Nguyen was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. After conducting an investigation authorities say Nguyen appeared intoxicated and that no marks or bruises were on her body, despite photos later released on the net.

Since last weekend's incident, Merriman issued a statement alleging that Tequila had been drinking and he simply tried to restrain and prevent her from leaving his home while drunk.