Former NFL superstar Antonio Brown was back in court on Friday morning as he continues to fight against an attempted-murder charge that could land him up to 30 years behind bars.
Brown pleaded not guilty in November after being extradited back to the US from Dubai, where he had been living since a May 16 shooting outside a Miami boxing event.
Brown’s defense team, lead by attorney Mark Eiglarsh, had filed a motion for permission to travel, arguing that he should be allowed to travel to Tampa for several ‘scheduled business arrangements’.
The state had objected the motion, but on Friday Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez granted Brown permission to travel, and ruled that his GPS monitor could be removed until he returns to Miami.
The state had argued that Brown is a flight risk having previously traveled to Dubai after the shooting, but the motion was passed.
In the two-page document, it was stated that Brown intends to participate in ‘several scheduled business engagements with Energetic Exotic, Florida’s premier exotic and luxury car rental company. In addition, he has multiple prearranged music studio sessions.’
Antonio Brown is fighting against an attempted-murder charge that could land him behind bars
A brawl unfolds outside the event moments before Brown is seen returning with a gun
The filing also said that the ex-NFL wide receiver will stay in his ‘primary private residence’ while in Tampa.
Last month, a motion to dismiss the attempted murder charge against Brown was filed on his behalf in Florida based on the state’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law.
Shortly after the shooting, viral video surfaced showing Brown running towards a brawl with a firearm in hand. The 37-year-old Super Bowl winner later claimed on social media he was defending himself from a would-be jewel thief, ultimately identified as Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu.
A jewelry designer who has a long legal history with Brown, Nantambu contradicted that claim in an interview with the Daily Mail.
According to Nantambu, he was attacked by security on Brown’s instruction as the retired receiver ran to retrieve a firearm and return to the fray.
Nantambu, who wasn’t arrested or even detained, told the Daily Mail that a bullet grazed his neck and he suffered a broken finger in the melee.
Brown’s attorney Mark Eiglarsh (right) has successfully filed a motion allowing him to travel
Brown, pictured at MetLife Stadium in 2022, will be allowed to travel to Tampa for ‘business’
In the December motion, defense attorney Eiglarsh admitted his client fled the brawl with Nantambu and others only to return with a ‘concealed firearm.’ Brown had no intention of shooting when he returned, Eiglarsh wrote, but out of fear for his safety, ‘fired two warning shots, intentionally aiming away from Nantambu to ensure he would not be struck.’
‘Brown hoped the warning shots would deter Nantambu’s aggression, allowing Brown to safely reach his vehicle and leave the scene,’ read the motion.
Brown spoke to police and was allowed to leave the scene that night only to become the subject of an arrest warrant in June while he remained in Dubai.
Eiglarsh’s motion accuses Nantambu of stealing Brown’s firearm. Additionally, it includes the claim that Nantambu previously attacked the long-time Pittsburgh Steelers star while the two were backstage at a concert in 2023.
Nantambu did not respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.