Adrian Peterson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, released a statement Friday evening on his client's indictment on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child. In the statement, Hardin defends his client, saying that Peterson "used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in east Texas," adding that "It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury."
Adrian Peterson’s lawyer releases statement on client’s indictment for child abuse
Lawyer Rusty Hardin defended his client, Adrian Peterson, on Friday evening, saying that Peterson “used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in east Texas.”
Patrick McDermott
Full statement below, via ESPN:
UPDATE: Adrian Peterson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, has released a statement on Peterson's behalf. pic.twitter.com/OSEb6zy1Xo
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 12, 2014 In his statement, Hardin stresses Peterson's cooperation with authorities. Peterson was reportedly questioned by police for beating his four-year-old son with a "switch" -- in this case, a tree branch with its leaves pulled off. According to a report by Nick Wright of CBS Houston, Peterson texted the mother afterwards, admitting what he did and saying "Never do I go overboard! But all my kids will know, hey daddy has the biggie heart but don't play no games when it comes to acting right."
Citing police reports, CBS Houston quoted Peterson’s son, who suggested that his father hit him in the face.
According to police reports, the child, however, had a slightly different story, telling authorities that “Daddy Peterson hit me on my face.” The child also expressed worry that Peterson would punch him in the face if the child reported the incident to authorities. He also said that he had been hit by a belt and that “there are a lot of belts in Daddy’s closet.” He added that Peterson put leaves in his mouth when he was being hit with the switch while his pants were down. The child told his mother that Peterson “likes belts and switches” and “has a whooping room.”
A warrant was issued for Peterson’s arrest Friday evening.
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