Lawyer for former Georgia DL Jalen Carter out to 'debunk false information' about fatal wreck
Following the news on Thursday morning that Georgia star Jalen Carter has plead no contest to traffic charges stemming from a fatal car crash on Jan. 15, his lawyer has released a statement further defending his client’s innocence.
Carter agreed to a few stipulations with Athens-Clarke County prosecutors on Thursday, taking a 12 months probation period, a $1,000 fine, 80 hours community service and a defensive driving course.
His lawyer defended him staunchly, though, in a statement provided to the media, quoted here by way of Seth Emerson of The Athletic.
Among other things, Carter’s lawyer asserts that Carter’s actions “did not cause the tragic accident involving Chandler LeCroy (and) Devin Willock,” noting that if they had his client would have been subject to far more serious charges.
But the statement also notes that “Carter never left the scene of the accident without being told that he could leave.”
Finally, the statement notes that “Jalen Carter had not been drinking and was not under the influence of alcohol or any other illegal substance at the time of the wreck.”
Previously it had been determined that LeCroy, whose vehicle hit 104 miles per hour before leaving the road, had tested well above the alcohol legal limit for driving.
Carter’s lawyer, Kim Stephens, also provided a general statement to ESPN.
“We are happy that we were able to work with the solicitor general’s office to reach a resolution that was fair and just based on the evidence in this case,” Stephens said. “Mr. Carter continues to grieve for the loss of his friends and continues to pray for their families, as well as for the continued healing for injured friends.”
Jalen Carter’s draft stock up for debate
Prior to the incident Jalen Carter was viewed a lock for the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, widely regarded as one of the top defensive linemen available. However, following the news breaking, Carter’s stock has tumbled, in some places significantly. Others do not have the incident affecting him much.
In fact, one NFL Draft analyst said there’s ‘no way’ Carter falls out of the Top 10 picks.
“There’s still some teams that have him high up on their board,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid said. “Getting scouts trying to reveal their hand here today, nobody said where exactly they would take him. But the consensus is that — they say there’s no way he’s getting outside of the top 10.
“He’s too special of a player. He was the centerpiece of Georgia’s defense a year ago. An explosive, penetrative 3-technique that can be up the field and be a Day One starter for you. But with some of the questions from the Pro Day and some of the off-the-field things, where exactly are you going to select Jalen Carter? But the consensus here is that he’s going to go inside of the top 10.”
Last season at Georgia, Jalen Carter accounted for 32 tackles, 7.0 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and 31 quarterback hurries.
Carter was named to the 2022 Associated Press, FWAA, Walter Camp and Sporting News All-America first teams following the season.