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December 1, 2008

Plaxico Burress

        *UPDATE: Plaxico Burress turned himself in to authorities in New York this morning and is expected to plead not guilty to a weapon possession charge during a court appearance this afternoon.       

        According to the Associated Press, the New York Giants star wide receiver arrived early this morning at the precinct, where he is scheduled to be charged after accidentally shooting himself in the right thigh at a Manhattan nightclub.       

        Sporting jeans and a black coat, Burress stepped out of a black Cadillac Escalade with no visible limp from the gunshot wound.        

        While Burress did not speak to the press, his lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, addressed the media gathered outside of the courtroom.       

         "He is standing tall. He is a mature adult," said Brafman of his client. "I think any professional athlete in this situation would be concerned."       

        Brafman refused to respond to media reports about an alleged coverup, other than to say: "I think a lot of what's been in the press is not accurate."       

        He said Burress is feeling OK. "If they let him play, he will be able to play. ... I think he will be a superstar for the rest of his career."       

        "My hope is that it plays out well and he can continue his career, because he's a good person I think, with a brilliant athletic career. And it would be a terrible sadness if an isolated incident could ruin a life," said Brafman.      

      

       *An attorney for Plaxico Burress says the New York Giants wide receiver will turn himself in Monday morning and plead not guilty to a charge of criminal possession of a weapon, reports the Associated Press.

       Burress suffered a thigh wound when he accidentally shot himself in the leg Friday night at a New York nightclub. According to the New York Daily News, the athlete had a concealed-weapon permit issued to him in Florida but records show it expired in May and New York does not recognize out-of-state permits anyway.      

       The 31-year-old was discharged from a New York hospital on Saturday. He had a previous hamstring injury that kept him out of Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.      

       Meanwhile, police sources told the New York Daily News Sunday that Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce allegedly attempted to hide the gun after the shooting and could face criminal charges as well. The newspaper reported that Pierce took the weapon and put it somewhere in New Jersey after the shooting.

       According to the Daily News, Pierce applied pressure to Burress's gunshot wound after the shooting and chastised his teammate for taking a loaded handgun into the club. Burress begged Pierce not to call 911 and initially didn't want to go to the hospital but, after being helped out of the club by Pierce, went to a hospital two hours later with his wife and a friend, the Daily News reported.       

       The Giants reported the incident to police and officers were turned away from Burress's home in New Jersey by his wife around 5 p.m. Saturday, according to the newspaper.      

       The New York Post reported that criminal possession of a loaded weapon is a felony in New York that is punishable by up to a year in prison. Daily News reported that Burress faces up to five years in prison for the felony.      

       Burress also faces possible discipline by the NFL under its personal conduct policy. The league's gun policy prohibits players from taking firearms to team- and league-related events, and also warns players about carrying unlicensed firearms, saying that could subject them to league discipline as well as criminal charges.      

       The Giants did not indicate how seriously Burress was hurt but there was a report that he could be ready to play again within a couple weeks.