Drug case against Boyd dropped, other charges from crash reduced
Drug charges against Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd were dismissed and other charges connected to the crash of his Mercedes Benz in Jefferson Hills in July were reduced during a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Pleasant Hills district court.
Boyd, 23, a former Pitt star, had been charged with possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after authorities found two “vape pens” that contained brown liquid and several unopened vape cartridges. Subsequent tests later revealed that the liquid contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, police said.
Those charges were withdrawn. Boyd’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment, but previously said Boyd loaned his car to a friend that night and was not present at the 3 a.m. July 12 crash on Route 837 near New England Road.
Armani Ford, 22, of Clairton, was charged with driving under the influence, speeding, possessing drugs and other charges in connection with the crash. His preliminary hearing is set for May 9.
Boyd also was charged with failing to notify authorities of an address change and operating an unsafe vehicle. Those charges were reduced to traffic citations.
Cowboys
Jerry Jones has agreed to pay the league more than $2 million in legal fees resulting from disputes the Dallas owner had with the league. Commissioner Roger Goodell held an appeal hearing Monday on the financial penalties for Jones’ lawsuit to overturn the suspension of star running back Ezekiel Elliott and for a lawsuit Jones threatened to stop Goodell’s newly approved contract. Jones attempted to derail Goodell’s extension, which came after Elliott was suspended over domestic violence allegations.
Giants
The New York Giants acquired linebacker Alex Ogletree in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams for two draft picks. The NFC West champion Rams will send a seventh-round pick in 2019 to the Giants along with Ogletree, their defensive captain and last season’s leading tackler. Los Angeles gets the Giants’ fourth-round and sixth-round picks in the 2018 draft. Ogletree has spent his entire five-year career with the Rams.
Eagles
Super Bowl champion Philadelphia bolstered its pass rush by acquiring three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett from the Seattle Seahawks, who get wide receiver Marcus Johnson and a fifthround pick. The Eagles also will get the Seahawks’ seventh-round pick. Bennett, 32, had 8½ sacks last season and 54 in his nine-year career. He has three years remaining on his contract, with a base salary of just $1.65 million in 2018, but that number jumps to $6 million in 2019 and $7.5 million in 2020.
Patriots
Tight end Martellus Bennett, who was due a $2 million roster bonus next week, was released, saving New England about $6 million in salary cap space. Bennett joined the Patriots in November after being released by Green Bay for “failing to disclose a physical condition.” In 2016, Bennett caught 55 passes for 701 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns with the Patriots.