Atlanta Falcons Player Prince Shembo Accused of Killing Ex's Dog
Prince Shembo's recent scandal has cost him big time. The former Atlanta Falcons player was left in tears after recently being arrested and released from the team for killing his ex-girlfriend's Yorkie, Dior, after it bit him.
"He didn't mean to kill the dog," Shembo's attorney, Jerry Froelich, told reporters outside the Gwinnett County jail.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, police aren't believing Froelich's tune, however, as the little dog's injuries were reportedly too extensive for the killing to be considered a mistake. The linebacker was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is considered a felony, according to Cpl. Michele Pihera. The charge cost the 23-year-old his spot on the team as he was released from the Falcons within two hours of his charge. He surrendered to the authorities on Friday (May 29) night and was released around 10:00 p.m. after posting $15,000 bond.
The Falcons wasted no time in responding to the allegations against Shembo, releasing a statement late Friday afternoon: "We are aware of the charges that have been filed against Prince Shembo," it read. "We are extremely disappointed that one of our players is involved in something like this. Accordingly, we have decided to waive Prince Shembo."
According to the report, Denicia Williams, Shembo's ex-girlfriend, called the police on April 19 to report that her former flame killed Dior. She told the authorities that she had taken the dog to Shembo's place at a Mall of Georgia apartment complex four days prior to the incident. She then left Shembo and Dior unattended after some time, and when she returned, the dog was unresponsive. She then took her to Duluth Animal Hospital where she died shortly after arrival.
Williams also claims that Shembo made comments to her about murdering the dog, which prompted her to end their relationship.
Dior is said to have suffered several significant internal injuries including a fractured rib, a fractured liver, abdominal hemorrhage, thoracic hemorrhage, extensive bruising and hemorrhage in the muscles in her front leg and shoulders, head trauma, hemorrhage and edema in her lungs, hemorrhage between the esophagus and trachea, and hemorrhage in her left eye with internal injuries. Upon further inspection, investigators concluded that Shembo may have kicked the dog. Veterinarians determined the cause of death as blunt force trauma.
This is not Prince Shembo's first scandal. Back in 2010, though he was never charged, he was investigated for allegedly sexually assaulting a Saint Mary's College freshman in his dorm room. The 19-year-old woman and alleged victim committed suicide 10 days later by overdosing on the antidepressant Effexor.
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(Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
