Provided Jake Plummer can behave the next nine months, his case of rage will end in a peaceful dismissal.
The misdemeanor road-rage charge against the Broncos’ quarterback became a plea agreement Wednesday between Plummer’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, and the Englewood prosecuting attorney’s office. Under the plea, Plummer did not have to issue an admission of guilt and his trial was given a nine-month continuance, according to Steinberg.
If Plummer avoids an infraction for the next nine months, Steinberg said, all charges will be dismissed.
“Jake didn’t plead guilty to anything,” Steinberg said. “In fact, I wanted to try the case. I don’t believe Jake committed a crime, and I believe he would have been acquitted by a jury. However, Jake wanted to put this whole thing behind him. He didn’t want this to be a sideshow.
“When the offer was a deferred prosecution – which means he does not plead guilty to anything because he is not guilty of anything – then the worst thing that happens is, he does do something wrong, and we go back to going to trial. How can you turn that down?”
Plummer’s vehicular dispute with Doug Stone occurred April 20. Plummer admitted cutting off Stone at an intersection; Stone admitted reacting angrily by blowing his horn. What happened next is where the combatants disagree.
Stone said Plummer rolled his Honda Element back into his truck. Plummer said it was Stone who pulled his truck forward and hit his Element.
Both sides agree Plummer got out of his vehicle to confront Stone. Heated words were exchanged. Stone alleged Plummer kicked his truck. Both men made 911 calls, and later, police charged Plummer with “intent to injure or destroy property.”
A trial date of Sept. 29 had been set but was vacated Wednesday and continued to an undisclosed date by the Englewood Municipal Court.
Before the Broncos’ workout Wednesday afternoon, Plummer said he knew nothing about the plea.
“I leave it all to my attorney,” Plummer said.
As part of the plea deal, Steinberg said, Stone would be paid restitution of $26 for a broken license-plate bracket. Stone told The Denver Post that he hoped Plummer would pay him with a check so he could sell the check and license plate bracket on eBay.
“I’m going to pay Mr. Stone personally out of my pocket,” Steinberg said. “That way, he can get even more money selling it on eBay.”
Staff writer Carlos Illescas contributed to this report.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
