Charges dropped against ex-Texan

[Kaiser Toro]

Interesting stuff:

ANGLETON — Officials moved Thursday to drop family violence charges against a former Houston Texans receiver at the request of his girlfriend.

NFL unrestricted free agent Jerome Mathis, 24, is accused of pushing and choking a pregnant Erica Smith, 26, onto a bed during an argument in their home in the 3600 block of Tumbling Falls at about 11 p.m. on Feb. 15. The couple apparently discussed a cell-phone battery charger before the incident.

Court documents show the misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury under the family violence code were dropped Thursday because the girlfriend requested it.

“She was adamant she did not want anything pursued,” Brazoria County District Attorney Jeri Yenne said.

Mathis could have faced up to $4,000 in fines and a year in county jail if convicted.

Mathis did plead guilty on Wednesday to other unrelated charges in Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Place 1, John Vasut’s court, Yenne said. Mathis was fined $1,100 for pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of animals running at large, maintaining animals that were not vaccinated, an expired motor vehicle inspection sticker and failure to maintain financial responsibility, Yenne said.

Those charges stem from an incident on Dec. 8 when Mathis’ pit bull escaped from his yard and displayed threatening behavior toward a woman at an apartment complex in the 3800 block of CR 94 near Manvel.

Wilson said Mathis since has mended the fence to prevent the animals from running loose. Now that he’s been assessed fines on the charges and the family violence charges have been dropped, Mathis wants to put it behind him and take care of his future child and his life, Wilson said.

http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=83c119b79b730d86

Totally unrelated, but I saw Jerome Mathis' girl one day and she's got it going on...IMO atleast...

[GP]

Kinda' ironic that the street name was "Tumbling Falls"....

Jerome's personal issues might be minor in comparison to PacMan, but it's still going to place him on the outside looking in IMO. The more headaches he creates, the less he's going to be able to perform well.

In related news, I hope Bob McNair has one of those sit-downs with Jacoby like he had with Mario about the street racing hobby.

[SheTexan]

That gal knows what side of the bread the butter is on!! Really sad IMHO. To many women out there defend an abusive s/o because of money. She latched on to a potential money machine hook line and pregancy. NOW, she is willing to live with the consequenses her poor judgement brought her. Next time, he just might finish her off, or the innocent child. A real shame!

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by SheTexan

That gal knows what side of the bread the butter is on!! Really sad IMHO. To many women out there defend an abusive s/o because of money. She latched on to a potential money machine hook line and pregancy. NOW, she is willing to live with the consequenses her poor judgement brought her. Next time, he just might finish her off, or the innocent child. A real shame!

The really messed up part of this crap is if it wasn't Mathis or so dude with money the state would pick up the charges. In Texas the state has the right to pickup charges on domestic violence. This is the exact reason it was put on the books in the first place. Too many women not persuing charges.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by SheTexan

That gal knows what side of the bread the butter is on!! Really sad IMHO. To many women out there defend an abusive s/o because of money. She latched on to a potential money machine hook line and pregancy. NOW, she is willing to live with the consequenses her poor judgement brought her. Next time, he just might finish her off, or the innocent child. A real shame!

Considering he has not even be rumored to be visiting another NFL team, Mathis might not be the investment she thinks he is, although his three years of NFL pay is a nice starting point to the rest of thier lives if he never plays football again.

[TexansSeminole]

Originally Posted by Polo

Totally unrelated, but I saw Jerome Mathis' girl one day and she's got it going on...IMO atleast...

Really doesn't suprise me at all.

[281]

although we all know he's as good as gone, i wouldnt call him an ex-texan yet.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by 281

although we all know he's as good as gone, i wouldnt call him an ex-texan yet.

The Texans did not tender him a contract as a restricted FA making Mathis an unrestricted free agent.

[aj.]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonTexan

Considering he has not even be rumored to be visiting another NFL team, Mathis might not be the investment she thinks he is, although his three years of NFL pay is a nice starting point to the rest of thier lives if he never plays football again.

How much of this do you think there's left?

Signing bonus of $336,000 and base salaries of $230,000 (2005), $310,000 (2006) and $385,000 (2007).

Not everyone is wise in terms of investing, especially when you're young.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by aj.

How much of this do you think there's left?

Signing bonus of $336,000 and base salaries of $230,000 (2005), $310,000 (2006) and $385,000 (2007).

Not everyone is wise in terms of investing, especially when you're young.

Fair point, but even if it is a small percentage say 15-20,000 and no school loans, it is better than most of us start out in our 9-5 lives.

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonTexan

Fair point, but even if it is a small percentage say 15-20,000 and no school loans, it is better than most of us start out in our 9-5 lives.

But did he get his degree and what is it in. Is it something practical that will translate into the work force. Unlike Michigans General Studies degree, which is about as worthless as the paper it is printed on.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by Specnatz

But did he get his degree and what is it in. Is it something practical that will translate into the work force. Unlike Michigans General Studies degree, which is about as worthless as the paper it is printed on.

Considering only about 1/3 of us wind up working long-term in the field we have our degree, not as convinced the subject matters as much as the process of finishing.

Back on topic, I will admit that I have been more hopeful in this thread than anything. Mathis' time with the Texans has not shown him to be a good decision maker nor very self-disciplined.

[aj.]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonTexan

Mathis' time with the Texans has not shown him to be a good decision maker nor very self-disciplined.

Kinda where I was going with the 'how much does he have left' notion. I hope it's a good amount for the kid's sake if nothing else.

[eriadoc]

Originally Posted by aj.

How much of this do you think there's left?

Signing bonus of $336,000 and base salaries of $230,000 (2005), $310,000 (2006) and $385,000 (2007).

Not everyone is wise in terms of investing, especially when you're young.

After taxes, that comes out pretty close to $205K, $190K, and $255K. Everything I've seen from Mathis leads me to believe that he's probably saved most of that money and invested it wisely.