Dunbar tells police he was just defending himself
By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_23bd5881-99d9-5745-ab1e-bda7e2773419.html
According to police reports on file with the Miami Beach (Fla.) police department, NBA player Donte Greene had to be restrained with a taser gun in an early-Sunday morning altercation with Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar outside a South Beach nightclub.
Contrary to earlier reports, Dunbar was arrested for disorderly conduct and breach of peace — a misdemeanor. He was not charged with battery as had been indicated earlier.
Greene, on the other hand, was arrested for battery, disorderly conduct and breach of peace. Greene's brother Dmetrique also was involved in the altercation and was arrested for disorderly conduct and breach of peace.
Rams officials have declined comment at this time, but Dunbar — one of the team's starting outside linebackers — is expected to be on the field Friday when the Rams hold their first full-squad practice of training camp.
According to the police reports, Dunbar told arresting officers he was just defending himself.
The arrest affidavits indicated that the defendants (Dunbar and the Greene brothers) were involved in a verbal altercation as they left the Club Dream. Club security and several patrons attempted to keep the parties from fighting by holding them apart.
But a short time later, the defendants starting brawling just south of the club entrance. As Dunbar and Dmetrique were exchanging punches, Donte approached Dunbar from behind and began to punch Dunbar in the head and neck area.
According to the police reports, one of the arresting officers said he was concerned about Dunbar's safety, and gave Donte Greene "one last verbal warning" to stop. When that warning was unsuccessful, Donte Greene was tased for "approximately 6-7 seconds."
After that, the fighting stopped. Donte Greene subsequently told police: "I'm sorry officer, but this guy (Dunbar) has been after me for years since I got into the NBA. He was beating my brother and I had to do what I did."
Where and how Donte Greene and Dunbar may have had a history is uncertain. Greene attended Syracuse University and Dunbar is from Syracuse, N.Y., and both athletes entered the professional ranks in their respective sports following the 2007-08 school year, but Dunbar attended Boston College.
Neither of Dunbar's agents responded to text messages and phone calls from the Post-Dispatch. Dunbar could not be reached.
This marks the second year in a row Dunbar has gotten off on the wrong foot prior to a football season. Last August, it was announced that Dunbar would be suspended by the NFL for four games for violating league policy on performance-enhancing substances. He could face league punishment for his role in Sunday's nightclub altercation. Dunbar re-signed with the Rams during the offseason, but was expected to be pushed by Ray Ray Armstrong for a starting job this season.
Donte Greene, currently a free agent, played 253 games with the Sacramento Kings from 2008-2012.