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CNN Live At Daybreak
Running Into Trouble: Jamal Lewis Indicted
Aired February 26, 2004 - 06:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: On to football now, the attorney for Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis says he is innocent. Lewis has been indicted on federal charges of trying to purchase cocaine in an Atlanta public housing project almost four years ago.
Martin Savidge brings you up to date.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A single game NFL rushing record.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At age 25, Baltimore Ravens football player Jamal Lewis would seem to have it all. He's a star running back, who last year had one of the best seasons in NFL history, earning him a salary of more than $2 million. But federal authorities say before the Atlanta native did all of that, he was doing something else, conspiring to sell drugs.
WILLIAM DUFFEY, U.S. ATTORNEY: The indictment returned yesterday charges Jamal Lewis with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
SAVIDGE: Allegedly, Lewis was interested in dealing 11 pounds of a mixed substance containing cocaine in the summer of 2000 at an Atlanta housing project. The indictment stems from a drug investigation that has already led to 30 convictions. According to an affidavit, an informant contacted Lewis concerning the cocaine and recorded the conversation.
2000 was the same year the University of Tennessee star running back was the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft chosen by the Baltimore Ravens. His attorney says Lewis is innocent.
ED GARLAND, LEWIS' ATTORNEY: He didn't do it. He wasn't involved with any drugs, not five ounces, not a smattering of drugs in connection with this. And this is all just somebody talking and saying this happened, that happened and in an effort to set him up to get themselves out of trouble.
SAVIDGE (on camera): Lewis' attorney says the star running back plans to turn himself into authorities here in Atlanta Thursday. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Baltimore Ravens says news of the indictments has surprised the team and that they are still trying to gain more information about them.
Martin Savidge, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Yes, we'll be covering it when Jamal Lewis turns himself in here in Atlanta.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 26, 2004 - 06:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: On to football now, the attorney for Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis says he is innocent. Lewis has been indicted on federal charges of trying to purchase cocaine in an Atlanta public housing project almost four years ago.
Martin Savidge brings you up to date.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A single game NFL rushing record.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At age 25, Baltimore Ravens football player Jamal Lewis would seem to have it all. He's a star running back, who last year had one of the best seasons in NFL history, earning him a salary of more than $2 million. But federal authorities say before the Atlanta native did all of that, he was doing something else, conspiring to sell drugs.
WILLIAM DUFFEY, U.S. ATTORNEY: The indictment returned yesterday charges Jamal Lewis with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
SAVIDGE: Allegedly, Lewis was interested in dealing 11 pounds of a mixed substance containing cocaine in the summer of 2000 at an Atlanta housing project. The indictment stems from a drug investigation that has already led to 30 convictions. According to an affidavit, an informant contacted Lewis concerning the cocaine and recorded the conversation.
2000 was the same year the University of Tennessee star running back was the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft chosen by the Baltimore Ravens. His attorney says Lewis is innocent.
ED GARLAND, LEWIS' ATTORNEY: He didn't do it. He wasn't involved with any drugs, not five ounces, not a smattering of drugs in connection with this. And this is all just somebody talking and saying this happened, that happened and in an effort to set him up to get themselves out of trouble.
SAVIDGE (on camera): Lewis' attorney says the star running back plans to turn himself into authorities here in Atlanta Thursday. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Baltimore Ravens says news of the indictments has surprised the team and that they are still trying to gain more information about them.
Martin Savidge, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Yes, we'll be covering it when Jamal Lewis turns himself in here in Atlanta.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
