News Summary
Michael Neal, a Super Bowl champion and former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman, is dealing with delayed bond hearings regarding serious sexual battery charges. After recent trial postponements due to administrative disruptions, his defense is pursuing a new bond hearing. Arrested in April for domestic and sexual battery, Neal is currently held without bond as complexities around the case and victim’s credibility arise. Judge Green has conditionally set a new bond, while discussions to reschedule the trial date are ongoing.
Tampa, Florida
Michael Neal, a former defensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers and Super Bowl champion, faced a delayed bond hearing in Hillsborough County court concerning sexual battery charges. His initial trial and subsequent proceedings have been postponed twice recently as a result of disruptions in the State Attorney’s Office administration.
The former NFL player’s defense team filed a petition for a new bond hearing, arguing that the trial delays were not due to Michael Neal or his legal representation. Neal was previously arrested on April 13, 2023, for domestic battery, for which he was released on a $3,500 bond. However, following a second arrest on April 24, 2023, for sexual battery, he was ordered to be held without bond.
The oversight of Neal’s cases has been handed over to the 10th Judicial Circuit due to a Governor’s Executive Order. This change added some complexity to the proceedings, as Assistant State Attorney Lauren Perry, who is newly assigned to the case, expressed her intent to keep Neal in custody without bond.
A significant factor affecting the case involves issues surrounding the victim, who is currently under criminal investigation for allegedly recording conversations related to the incident. This investigation could potentially undermine the credibility of her testimony, as it was mentioned during a deposition she had alluded to illegal recordings.
Judge’s Ruling
During the latest hearing, Judge Gregory Green noted the absence of substantial evidence against Neal, especially without the critical initial recording of the alleged sexual assault. After considering the circumstances, Judge Green set a new bond for Neal at $100,000, stipulating several conditions for his release. These conditions include surrendering his passport, adhering to GPS monitoring, and prohibiting any contact with the victim.
Next Steps in the Legal Proceedings
Both the prosecution and defense have tentatively agreed to discussions regarding the possibility of rescheduling the trial date to February. A preliminary disposition date has been set for October 27 to consider a consolidation of Neal’s domestic violence and sexual assault charges, aimed at streamlining the legal process.
Michael Neal was a prominent athlete, recognized as a second-round draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, joining the Packers, where he played for six seasons. He contributed to the team’s success in winning Super Bowl XLV in 2011. Following his football career, Neal relocated to the Tampa Bay area to establish a real estate business named 1st and 10 Consulting, specializing in offering investment advice.
As the case continues, both sides are navigating the complexities of the legal issues while the determination of Neal’s future remains uncertain amidst ongoing developments.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Trial Delay for Former NFL Player Michael Neal
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News
- Packers News
- NBC 26
- Google Search: Michael Neal NFL
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American football
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
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