Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jr. was reportedly arrested in connection with misdemeanor criminal damages. On Wednesday night, at 10:30 p.m. Gay was arrested and booked into the Johnson County Detention Center (which is in Kansas), where he remained Thursday morning awaiting bond.
According to reports, Gay caused physical damage to objects totaling less than $1000 during an argument, including a vacuum, wall, door frame, humidifier, and cell phone screen.
As more details have been released, we now know that Gay was charged with what is classified as a domestic violence incident. Thankfully, it appears no injury to a person occurred. He was visiting his son at the time and got into an argument with his son’s mother.
What’s next legally for Willie Gay?
On Thursday, Gay appeared in court to plead not guilty.
Willie Gay pleads not guilty in his hearing in Johnson County Court. Judge says he’s got a $1,000 signature bond. He should be released this afternoon. His next court date is March 2. pic.twitter.com/iMijLXTOD2
— Todd Leabo (@Leabonics) January 20, 2022
Following his probable release this afternoon after posting bond, Gay will head through the normal phases of a criminal case. He will receive future court dates—his next being March 2—but ultimately will likely be offered a plea agreement from the Johnson County Prosecutor. This agreement requests that in exchange for a lesser charge, he pleads guilty to those charges. It allows him to avoid gambling on a trial and usually leads to smaller punishments.
With misdemeanors, it is unlikely Gay will serve jail time, but rather, he’d be required to pay a fine and serve probation. Should he choose not to accept a plea agreement, he can proceed to trial where a jury or judge will decide whether or not he is guilty.
Overall, Gay is likely to receive very minimal punishment, whether through a plea agreement, a guilty plea, or trial.
Has Willie Gay said anything?
Gay’s representative has released a statement regarding the incident.
Statement from Willie Gay’s representative Max’s Lepselter: pic.twitter.com/Zvpyn2LmiL
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) January 20, 2022
This appears to be in line with what is being reported: that an argument occurred, a vacuum was damaged, and there was no injury to any person. Similarly, his representatives believe that this will be resolved quickly with paying money (and replacing a vacuum). The tenor of his representatives leads me to believe he is likely to resolve this quickly and without a trial.
What does this mean for the Chiefs?
According to Herbie Teope of the Star, the Chiefs say they are aware of the situation but have made no comment to the press about the matter. Further statements are likely but it’s too early to say anything else.
On Thursday, Steve Spagnuolo did say that he was uncertain if Gay would play on Sunday and stated that reporters would have to wait until Friday for Andy Reid to answer that question (that’s Reid’s next scheduled time with reporters).