A tentative date of December 1 has been set for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to stand trial on a felony child abuse charge. All along, Peterson has expressed he is not interested in cutting a deal and believes he did nothing wrong. While he indicated to police that he felt bad in light of the extent of the injuries, he added to be honest with you, I feel very confident with my actions because I know my intent and he characterized the incident as a normal whooping. Peterson also maintained his innocence in a statement issued through his lawyer Rusty Hardin, saying, I never ever intended to harm my son. I will say the same thing once I have my day in court. If this goes to trial (which is not a guarantee if the sides can settle), it remains possible Peterson could be acquitted. The Beating The criminal charge stems from a beating he gave his four-year-old son with a tree branch (or a switch) after Petersons son pushed another child off of a motorbike video game. Peterson grabbed a tree branch, removed the leaves and struck his son repeatedly. According to CBS Houstons Nick Wright, the assault resulted numerous injuries to the child, including cuts and bruises to the childs back, buttocks, ankles, legs and scrotum, along with defensive wounds to the childs hands. Wright also reported the following: Peterson also allegedly said via text message to the childs mother that he felt bad after the fact when I notice the switch was wrapping around hitting I (sic) thigh and also acknowledged the injury to the childs scrotum in a text message, saying, Got him in nuts once I noticed. But I felt so bad, n Im all tearing that butt up when needed! I start putting them in timeout. N save the whooping for needed memories! In further text messages, Peterson allegedly said, Never do I go overboard! But all my kids will know, hey daddy has the biggie heart but dont play no games when it comes to acting right. According to police reports, the child, however, had a slightly different story, telling authorities that Daddy Peterson hit me on my face. The child also expressed worry that Peterson would punch him in the face if the child reported the incident to authorities. He also said that he had been hit by a belt and that there are a lot of belts in Daddys closet. He added that Peterson put leaves in his mouth when he was being hit with the switch while his pants were down. The child told his mother that Peterson likes belts and switches and has a whooping room. The Charge As per Section 22.04 of the Texas Penal Code, Peterson was indicted on a charge of recklessly, or with criminal negligence, caused bodily injury to a child. This type of charge is classified as a state jail felony and is punishable by 180 days to two years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Reckless defendants act with an awareness that their actions are likely to cause the crime but persist with their actions. In order to be characterized as criminally negligent, it just needs to be shown that the defendant was not aware of the potential consequences but should have been. The prosecution just needs to show either Peterson was reckless OR negligent. The latter is easier to establish since you dont need the element of awareness. Petersons Defence Physical abuse in Texas is an accepted form of discipline. Section 261.001 of the Texas Family Code allows parents to engage in reasonable discipline of children so long as it does not expose the child to a substantial risk of harm. This may explain why it took the prosecution two attempts to get Peterson indicted. Ultimately, Peterson was indicted because a grand jury believed that his conduct did not constitute reasonable discipline and ended up causing substantial harm to his child. Peterson Could Walk At Trial Based upon the merits of the case and the relatively low legal standard of negligence to be met, the prosecution has a strong case. The injuries inflicted certainly cross the line and constitute substantial harm. As well, while Peterson may not have intended to harm his son, he should have known those injuries were likely. Bottom line: the harm was bad and Peterson, at the very least, was negligent. That doesnt mean, however, the prosecution is going to win. Its entirely possible that Peterson could walk. To find Peterson guilty, jurors must reach a unanimous verdict. That means that Rusty Hardin need only convince one juror to give Peterson a pass. Hardin, who secured an acquittal for his client Roger Clemens in his perjury trial, knows that physical abuse as a form of discipline is accepted and is part of the culture in Texas. As well, reasonable discipline is provided for, and protected, under Texas law. So while that one juror may not approve of the harm inflicted and believe it wasnt reasonable, he or she may still be empathetic towards Peterson, believe hes learned his lesson and give him a pass. And for Peterson and Hardin, thats the hope. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Gelson-Martins-Jersey/ . CHAUNCEY BILLUPS (Pistons): Yes they got Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings in the off-season and Andre Drummond is a beast (teams are kicking themselves for passing on him - he rebounds and block shots every game - thats two more discernable and significant skills than most guys in his draft class), but dont for a second discount the impact of having a savvy veteran like Billups on your team. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Koke-Jersey/ . In question is whether 26-year-old Matt Frattin will be on it. A a€?mediocrea€? training camp, as Carlyle put it earlier this week, has Frattin lingering nervously on the bubble at the end of the exhibition season, pushed out of a likely job by Brandon Kozun, the small, but feisty winger determined to make the NHL for the first time. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Jan-Oblak-Jersey/. With the union re-formed, negotiations with owners will resume Friday on the remaining issues that would be in the collective bargaining agreement, according to a person familiar with the plans. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Jose-Gimenez-Jersey/ . Blown save in the ninth inning? No problem. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Diego-Godin-Jersey/ . Fans holding laudatory signs started showing up at Yankee Stadium when the gates opened at 4 p.m. Monday, an hour early in order to give them a chance to watch the New York captain take batting practice.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Reason for Pessimism: When you lose two of the best tight ends in football, you are not going to replace them in one year. How can New England lead the league again in points (34 per game) and yards (427.9 per game) and improve the secondary (29th in pass defence)? Its not going to happen. There are high expectations for Danny Amendola, but he has only played 12 games in the last two years so durability is an issue. Do they really expect Aaron Dobson (2nd round) and Josh Boyce (4th round) to have instant success as receivers? Tom Brady has said he wants to play well into his 40s and that is great, but first you have to get through the natural regression of being in your mid-30s. Reason for Optimism: In the last five years, the Patriots have won 11, 10, 14, 13 and 12 regular season games. They are masters at overcoming adversity. Tom Brady has thrown a touchdown pass in 48 straight regular season games -- only six behind the record set by Drew Brees. He will make the receivers look good -- even the rookies. Also, 15 of 16 games for New England are on the East Coast. Thats a good travel schedule. Reality: In an odd way, this may be a rejuvenation year for New England and specifically Brady and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. It is a new challenge to develop new talent that will rise to the surface as the season progresses. Nobody ran more plays than the Patriots did last year. They can do it again this year. Prediction: First in the AFC East. MIAMI DOLPHINS Reason for Pessimism: I have a theory about football. I think that it is easier and more effective to build a winner by collecting a group of good football players as opposed to trying to overspend on major talent at key positions. My theory is to be tested in Miami, as nobody spent money on free agency like the Dolphins did last year. On paper this is an outstanding team, but will they play well together and surpass the Patriots for dominance in the division? We saw this story last year with the Buffalo Bills as they opened the bank to improve the defensive line and finished the 2012 season 31st against the run. Still, the additions of Mike Wallace, Darnell Ellerbe, and Brent Grimes are impressive, but how it all meshes is still to be proven. And not having Jake Long at left tackle is a void and young Jonathon Martin is a project as a replacement. Reason for optimism: Ryan Tannehill is for real. The Dolphins have been searching for the next Dan Marino since the day he retired, and Tannehill is the best possibility in many years. Also, the Dolphins have not had a better 3rd down pass rush since the days of the "Killer Bees" of the ‘80s. Cam Wake is proven and may be the most explosive athlete as a defensive end in football. And Dion Jordan has the athletic gifts to be a taller version of Cam Wake. Third down is the most critical down in football and success depends on the quarterback and the pass rush -- the Dolphins have both. Reality: Miami has closed the gap of talent between themselves and New England, but until a Joe Philbin team can beat a Bill Belichick team twice in one year, you have to favour the Pats. I still look at Miami as a playoff team, but not necessarily a division winner. Prediction: 2nd in the AFC East. BUFFALO BILLS Reason for Pessimiism: It has been 13 seasons since the Buffalo Bills have made the playoffs -- 13.ddddddddddddThat is a longer absence that any other team, and only Oakland and Cleveland are close with 10. Thats a stark reality. Last year they were 31st against the run and 30th on third down defence. It is unrealistic to think that will improve so dramatically as to become a top 10 defence in one season. Yes, the do have a new coordinator in Mike Pettine -- formally of the Jets -- but he has them switching to a 3-4 defence. Do they have the type of talent play that scheme? Year 14 without playoff is a real possibility. Reason for Optimism: E.J. Manuel has all the physical skills to be a very good quarterback. Coming from Florida State, he knows how to handle pressure and good competition. C.J. Spiller could be the next Thurman Thomas . He averaged 6.0 yards per carry and is a complete back. And finally, Doug Marrone seems like a good fit. Yes, he coming to the pros from Syracuse University, but from 2006 to 2008 he was with the Saints and Sean Payton. He is a pro coach that tried college, not a college coach trying the pro game. Reality: This is a 3rd place team. Theres too much change in one year and no guarantee that an expensive defensive line will play like the Cincinnati Bengals. I thought the Bills drafted well, especially getting 2nd round pick Robert Woods of USC to compliment Stevie Johnson. But unless Manuel becomes the next Colin Kaepernick, this is a rebuilding year again in Buffalo. Prediction: 3rd in AFC East. NEW YORK JETS Reason for Pessimism: Drama, drama and more drama. The New York Jets have evolved into a walking, talking soap opera more than a well-run, efficient football team. Mark Sanchez does not look confident and expecting rookie Geno Smith to be the next RG3 or Andrew Luck is unrealistic. Also Dee Milliner has to be the next Derrell Revis, but he wont be. In the month of October, the Jets play at Atlanta , Pittsburgh, New England, at Cincinnati and New Orleans. By then we will know who the quarterback is for 2013, but that is an insurmountable challenge. With limited wide receiver depth and talent, this season depends on "ground and pound" but every defence in the NFL knows it. Six players left in free agency -- their top running back and two safeties are no longer Jets. It is a re-building time in New York. Reason for Optimism: Rex Ryan is in the last year of his contract. If Geno Smith beats out Mark Sanchez, then the Jets have a salary cap problem. With Ryan and Sanchez having a sense of urgency to stay in the NFL with this organization, you would think they should produce results. In some ways it is a fresh start with Marty Mornhinweg as the new offensive coordinator and Dennis Thurman on defense. If Chris Ivory has a great year at running back, so do the Jets. They must master a running attack like they did in 2009 and 2010 when they went to the AFC championship game. Ivory seems capable. Reality: Eleven players, all starters or significant contributors, left the Jets for various reasons. One may be that they did not believe the team would turn the corner in any tangible way. That was probably good thinking. The window of opportunity has closed for the Jets, Jets, Jets. Prediction: 4th in the AFC East. 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