Jeff Gladney's grand jury date set
Vikings cornerback's status for training camp remains unclear
By Brian Murphy, special to Purple Insider
Texas prosecutors will present their assault case against Jeff Gladney to a grand jury July 29, according to court records, putting the estranged cornerback at risk of being indicted as the Minnesota Vikings begin training camp.
Dallas Police arrested Gladney in April on suspicion of felony assault after he allegedly punched a 22-year-old woman, strangled her and pulled her hair multiple times during an altercation in a vehicle, according to court documents. She escaped the vehicle and flagged down another car to call 911 while Gladney fled the area, the report said.
Gladney, the Vikings’ 2020 first-round draft choice, turned himself into authorities three days later and posted $10,000 bond. The 24-year-old did not participate in Minnesota’s offseason workouts or mandatory minicamp.
During the indictment process, only prosecutors can present evidence. In order to secure an indictment, nine of 12 jurors are needed and the results are announced within two days. If he's indicted, Gladney would have to be arraigned in court and have a trial date set.
Neither Gladney’s lawyer, Morris Overstreet, nor his agent, Brian Overstreet, returned email and telephone messages this week seeking comment. The Vikings did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
“We are aware of Jeff’s arrest and are gathering additional information,” the team said in a statement April 5 after Gladney’s arrest. “We take this matter very seriously, as the reported allegations are extremely disturbing.”
When reached via phone, Gladney said he could not discuss the case. He has not made any public statements except for an Instagram post, which has since been taken down, that said, “Still hard to believe this girl tryna ruin my life all because i wouldn’t be with her…(sic).”
Gladney started 15 of 16 games for the Vikings last season after being selected 31st overall out of Texas Christian University.
“We're just letting it all play out,” head coach Mike Zimmer said earlier this offseason. “I really can't say what I know, so I'll just leave it at that.”
Correction: A previous version of the story said the hearing was scheduled July 22. It has since been rescheduled.
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When do the Vikings have to ask for a roster exemption and does Gladney’s salary count against the cap if they do?
Thanks for the update.. Glad the Vikings seemed to have assumed he would not be playing this year....