THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996 TAG: 9602110250
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SAN ANTONIO LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
WBC welterweight champ Pernell Whitaker was arrested and briefly jailed Saturday after scuffling with three off-duty officers during a party held for the NBA's All-Star Weekend.
Whitaker, 32, of Virginia Beach, was booked on two misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and assaulting an officer. He was released at about 8 a.m. on two bonds of $800 each. He came away from the ruckus with a swollen mouth.
``I don't know any facts, I just know there was a problem in San Antonio with a police officer. I have not personally talked to Pete,'' said Whitaker's lawyer, Lionel Hancock III. ``He has posted PR (personal recognizance) bail and he will leave town tomorrow.''
Police department spokesman Al Ballew said Whitaker and several others were blocking an exit at an All-Star Weekend event at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown San Antonio when they were told to move along.
Pushes led to shoves and eventually to jabs as Whitaker and officer Javier Salazar fell to the ground and began wrestling, Ballew said.
Ballew said Salazar was transported to a local hospital after he reported feeling dizzy. He also was treated for a busted lower lip, then released, Ballew said. MEMO: Staff writer Steve Carlson contributed to this report.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Pernell Whitaker was in San Antonio for NBA All-Star festivities.
KEYWORDS: ASSAULT ARREST by CNB