reporter
Jun 24, 2005 1:55 PM | | ;
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MIAMI (AP) -- Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor would face a minimum prison sentence of three years if he is convicted on charges filed Friday by state prosecutors for allegedly pointing a gun during a dispute over an all-terrain vehicle.
Taylor, a 22-year-old former University of Miami standout, faces a single count of aggravated assault with a firearm, said Michael Greico, assistant state attorney. Taylor was allegedly among a group of people who got into a June 1 armed confrontation over an ATV that Taylor and his associates believed had been stolen.
Another man in the group, 19-year-old Charles Caughman, also faces aggravated assault charges for allegedly threatening and chasing someone with a baseball bat.
After a brief hearing to announce the charges, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mary Barzee set a Sept. 12 trial date for Taylor. That would be the day after the Redskins open their season.
The former collegiate all-America and No. 5 overall pick by the Redskins in the 2004 NFL draft did not appear in court and has filed a written plea of not guilty.
Taylor`s attorney, Edward Carhart, said his client had hoped to avoid the charges after meeting with prosecutors voluntarily to give his side of the case and to present polygraph test results the lawyer said clear Taylor of any wrongdoing. Polygraph results are usually not admissible in court.
"I`m disappointed," Carhart said. "The polygraph examiner said in his opinion that Sean was telling the truth when he said he never threatened anyone with a firearm or a baseball bat, and that there was no such weapon in his car."
Greico, however, said the investigation produced enough evidence and that prosecutors "have a good-faith basis to go forward" with the charges, which he said involve three victims. He would not comment on the substance of the case but said Taylor faces a maximum prison term of 16 years.
Taylor has had a string of off-the-field troubles since signing a seven-year, $18 million deal with the Redskins after the 2004 draft. The Redskins have excused Taylor from further offseason practices and meetings so he can "focus on his personal and legal issues," the team said in a recent statement.
Taylor was charged with drunken driving in October after attending a birthday party for receiver Rod Gardner. Those charges were dismissed, but Taylor was convicted for refusing to take a blood-alcohol test.
Taylor has also fired two agents, was fined for skipping one day of the NFL`s mandatory rookie symposium and was accused of spitting on a player during a game at Cincinnati.
He started 13 games last year and recorded 89 tackles, four interceptions, one sack and two forced fumbles.

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