Former NFL superstar Antonio Brown has been granted permission to travel for business by a Florida judge, as he continues to contest a serious attempted murder charge that carries a potential 30-year prison sentence.
Court Grants Travel Request Despite State Objections
On Friday morning, Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez ruled in favour of a motion filed by Brown's defence team, led by attorney Mark Eiglarsh. The motion sought permission for Brown to travel to Tampa for what were described as several scheduled business arrangements.
The state had strongly objected, arguing that Brown was a significant flight risk. This was based on his previous decision to travel to Dubai after the alleged shooting incident on May 16 outside a Miami boxing event, where he remained until his extradition back to the US in November.
Despite these objections, Judge Mendez allowed the travel and also ruled that Brown's GPS monitor could be removed for the duration of his trip, until he returns to Miami.
Business Engagements and Legal Defence Strategy
The two-page court filing outlined that Brown intends to participate in pre-arranged engagements with Energetic Exotic, a luxury car rental company, and has multiple music studio sessions scheduled. It was confirmed he would stay at his primary private residence while in Tampa.
This development comes shortly after Brown's legal team filed a motion last month to dismiss the attempted murder charge. The defence is leveraging Florida's controversial 'Stand Your Ground' law, claiming Brown acted in self-defence.
Contradictory Accounts of the Miami Shooting
The case stems from a violent altercation that was captured on viral video. The footage appears to show the 37-year-old Super Bowl winner running towards a brawl with a firearm in hand.
Brown claimed on social media he was defending himself from a would-be jewel thief, identified as Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu. However, Nantambu, a jewellery designer with a long legal history with Brown, gave a contradictory account to the Daily Mail.
Nantambu alleged he was attacked by Brown's security on the ex-receiver's instruction, and that Brown then retrieved a firearm and returned to the fray. Nantambu, who was not arrested, reported a bullet grazed his neck and he suffered a broken finger.
In a December court motion, defence attorney Eiglarsh admitted his client initially fled the fight but returned with a concealed weapon. Eiglarsh wrote that Brown, fearing for his safety, fired two warning shots aimed away from Nantambu to deter aggression and allow for a safe escape.
The filing also accuses Nantambu of stealing Brown's firearm and references an alleged prior attack on Brown by Nantambu at a 2023 concert. Nantambu did not respond to requests for comment on these new allegations.
Brown, who pleaded not guilty in November, was initially allowed to leave the scene by police the night of the shooting. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued in June while he was in Dubai, leading to his extradition.
