From the San Mateo County Times:
Former 49ers and Raiders offensive lineman Kwame Harris faces felony domestic violence charges for allegedly beating an ex-boyfriend in the parking lot of a Menlo Park restaurant after an argument sparked by soy sauce, attorneys said Monday.
Harris, 30, is due in San Mateo County Superior Court on Monday afternoon for a hearing on the case and could face up to nine years in prison if convicted. He’s charged with felony domestic violence and assault causing great bodily injury. He’s pleaded not guilty and is out of jail on $75,000 bail, prosecutors said.
The former lineman’s defense attorney said prosecutors have targeted the wrong person. “This is a case of self-defense,” said attorney Alin Cintean.
The trouble started August 21 when Harris and ex-boyfriend Dimitri Geier were sharing dinner at Su Hong restaurant in Menlo Park. Harris was to drive Geier to San Francisco International Airport for a flight following the meal. But the men began to argue after Geier poured soy sauce on some rice, which upset Harris, according to a civil lawsuit Geier filed in San Mateo County.
The arguing continued and escalated, until finally Harris revoked his offer to drop Geier off at the airport. Geier agreed to take a cab instead, but as they went to retrieve has bags from Harris’ car the dispute turned violent. Harris allegedly tried to pull down Geier’s pants and accused the ex of stealing his underwear, according to the suit.
At some point the struggle came to blows.
The punches from Harris broke bones around Geier’s eye socket and led a metal plate being installed in his face to repair the physical damage from the beating, his suit says. Cintean said Geier struck first, but because his injuries were worse, prosecutors elected to charge Harris in connection with the violence.
The attorney he doesn’t anticipate his client striking a deal with prosecutors Monday and said a February trial date may be pushed back.
