There’s no place like home, and for Aaron Berry, that means there’s no place where he gets into more trouble.
The Detroit Lions cornerback, visiting is hometown of Harrisonburg, Pa., was arrested there for a second time in this offseason.
This time, Berry was apprehended, according to Cpl. Kyle Gautsch of the Harrisburg Police Department, on three charges of simple assault. And, to make matters worse, police said there ”was a weapon allegedly brandished during the incident.”
Less than a month ago Berry was arrested in that area June 23 on suspicion of DUI, failure to stop and render aid from an accident and other counts. He was set to enter a diversionary program in that case.
His second arrest was the latest bit of bad publicity during a troubled off-season for the Lions, who are quickly moving toward challenging the Cincinnati Bengals for players that get into off-the-field-trouble with the law.
To illustrate: Lions’ running back Mikel Leshoure will miss the first two games this season without pay and will have to give up two more game checks for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Not good. Then there is defensive tackle NIck Fairley, who was arrested twice in two months. Really not good.
Berry is entering his third NFL season. He started three games last season for the Lions and one the previous season.
”I would just hope that everybody just holds their judgment on this matter,” said Corky Goldstein, Berry’s lawyer. ”There’s a lot more to this situation. I know Aaron is very upset over this whole situation. Let’s give the opportunity for all the facts to come out.”
The Lions released a statement Sunday that hardly was a symbol of support.
”We are extremely disappointed by the reports involving Aaron Berry,” the team said. ”We are currently gathering more information and will have further comment when appropriate.”
