((HT: NYPost))Plaxico Burress, who caught the winning touchdown pass for the Giants in the 2008 Super Bowl, was indicted today on gun possession charges. Linebacker Antonio Pierce was let off the hook.
The former giants wide receiver ((pictured, thanks Chad Rachman/NYPost)) was indicted on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, class C violent felonies.
He also was indicted on a reckless endangerment charge in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor.
He also was indicted on a reckless endangerment charge in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor.
He faces as many as 15 years in prison.
"At the time the defendant shot himself, he was not licensed to carry or possess that pistol in either New York or New Jersey, where he had a home," Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau said in a statement.
"In this case, we conducted a thorough investigation and then presented the evidence to the grand jury, which evaluated the facts under the applicable law," he added. "The case required a more protracted investigation than does a typical weapons possession case given the number of witness and the need to investigate events both before and after the shooting."
The charges stem from a November incident when Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg in a Manhattan nightclub.
Officials say Pierce was at Burress' side the night of Nov. 29 in the VIP vestibule at Latin Quarter. When the gun went off, Pierce sprang into action to save his teammate's life -- driving the bleeding, trembling Burress to the hospital, said his lawyer, Michael Bachner.
Both men testified before the grand jury last week.
Burress spent three hours in front of the 23 grand jurors, saying he was sorry about bringing his loaded, unlicensed Glock into the nightclub.
"I was truthful. I was honest," Burress said after his testimony. "And I'm truly remorseful for what I've done, for what happened, for what I did."
Giants President John Mara expressed support for Pierce but was noticeably silent on Burress.
"We certainly agree with the grand jury's decision," Mara said.
"We said last week we felt strongly that Antonio's actions did not warrant criminal charges, and obviously the grand jury, having heard all of the testimony, felt the same way."
Coach Tim Coughlin echoed Mara.
"As I said yesterday, we are anxious to start the new season, nobody more than Antonio," he said. "Today's decision allows him and this team to move forward and focus on our preparation for the season."
WAVY-TV in Newport News has local coverage of the indictment.
Sports Director Bruce Rader is in studio...
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