Pierce to meet with police today
Published: Fri, Dec. 05, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Fri, Dec. 05, 2008 02:24AM
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closeEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Antonio Pierce and the doctor who treated his New York Giants teammate Plaxico Burress after he accidentally shot himself at a Manhattan nightclub will talk to investigators today.
Pierce and Dr. Josyann Abisaab will be accompanied by their lawyers when they meet with the authorities, NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Public Information Paul Browne said. It is unclear when and where the parties will meet.
The authorities are especially interested in why neither Pierce, who drove Burress to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, nor Abisaab called police to report the shooting early Saturday. Abisaab has since been suspended for not reporting the gunshot injury, as required by law.
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Police are trying to determine whether Pierce tried to cover up the shooting. They say Pierce returned to New Jersey with Burress' gun in the glove compartment of his black Cadillac Escalade, and investigators have impounded the SUV to search it for any blood or gun residue.
Pierce's attorney said Pierce was caught off guard early Saturday when Burress somehow fumbled his gun -- .40-caliber Glock -- in the VIP section of a Manhattan nightclub and it discharged, hitting his right thigh.
"He had no idea Plaxico had a weapon," attorney Michael Bachner said.
And Bachner stressed the linebacker would cooperate with authorities and testify before a Manhattan grand jury about the incident if asked to testify, which has yet to happen.
Pierce was in no mood to discuss the incident on Thursday after practice at Giants Stadium. He insisted he won't be distracted with the Giants (11-1) on the verge of clinching the NFC East title.
"I am about as focused as I could be," Pierce said.
The police are eager to learn why it took so long for them to learn of the shooting.
Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said Thursday the team alerted NFL security about the shooting, leaving the league to alert police. The NFL said its security department then did contact police.
But police say the NFL was not forthcoming about the shooting.
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