Miller Arraignment, Plea Postponed Until November
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Former San Francisco 49ers player Bruce Miller appeared in court Friday to face multiple felony charges in connection with his alleged early Monday morning assault on two hotel guests, but had his arraignment postponed until Nov. 2.
Miller made the court appearance at the Hall of Justice with his attorney Friday afternoon. Outside the courtroom, he was faced with a large group of local reporters and photographers. He and his attorney declined to comment on the case before and after the court appearance.
"I'm not at liberty to talk about it right now because there is an investigation," Miller said when he did speak prior to the court appearance.
Miller did not enter a plea because his attorneys are waiting to review the evidence before deciding on one. He will enter his plea on the charges at the November court date.
The state also slapped Miller with a protective order forbidding him to contact to or be anywhere near the victims.
Currently, Miller is out on $178,000 bail.
Miller was released by the 49ers after word surfaced of his arrest on assault charges Monday.
Miller was charged on Thursday with seven felonies including assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, two counts of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, inflicting injury on an elder likely to cause great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury and two counts of criminal threats, as well as misdemeanor battery.
The charges include multiple enhancements because one of the victims was 70 years old.
"It is embarrassing for our city, because they were visitors," said San Francisco DA George Gascon. "Also, it is a clear case of elder abuse by someone the community looks up to."
San Francisco police said they arrested Miller early Monday after officers responded to a report of an intoxicated person at the San Francisco Marriott Fisherman's Wharf Hotel at 1250 Columbus Ave. around 2:45 a.m.
Officers learned that a suspect, later identified as Miller, had tried to enter a hotel room that was not his and was occupied by a 70-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman.
The couple's 29-year-old son, who was staying in the room next door, told Miller the room was not his, at which point Miller allegedly charged at him. When the elderly man came to his son's defense, Miller allegedly punched him, police said.
The two victims were taken to a hospital for treatment of their injuries.
In June 2015, Miller pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace in connection with an incident in March of that year involving his ex-fiancée. In that case, Miller allegedly threw the woman's cellphone and smashed it during an argument at a Santa Clara hotel.
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