Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Dante Culpepper has had all charges against him stemming from the infamous 'Love Boat' incident dismissed by a Minnesota judge on Tuesday. The judge ruled that there was no probably cause to charge Culpepper with a crime.
Culpepper and three other Vikings players had been charged with lewd conduct on a cruise on a Minnesota lake. Other passengers complained that the players were committing lewd acts with strippers and behaving in a drunk and disorderly manner.
While charges against Culpepper were dismissed, Vikings running back Moe Williams' request to have the charges against him dropped were denied by Hennepin County Judge Kevin Burke. Williams is now scheduled to go to trial on April 18.
The other two players who have been charged, cornerback Fred Smoot and tackle Bryant McKinnie, and due to appear before the court on Thursday.
Earl Gray, Culpepper's attorney told the Associated Press, 'I'm happy about it [the decision]. I'm sure Culpepper is, and his family. It vindicates him from being involved in any sexual misconduct on the boat.'
Culpepper, who has since been traded to Miami, had testified that he was at the back of the boat playing a dice game. He also indicated that he rejected propositions from several women. The star quarterback had been accused of touching the woman's buttocks. Judge Burke indicated that the prosecution could not disprove Culpepper's statements so there was no probable cause to try him.
Williams stands accused of touching the dancer's breast. He has claimed the dancer danced very close to him but he did not touch her. The judge said that Culpepper's story, if true, would exonerate him entirely while Williams' would not.
All four players charged in the incident are African-American and all have said they believe race was a factor in the bringing of criminal charges. Prosecutor Steve Tallen has denied that race was a factor.
All four players were charged with indecent conduct, disorderly conduct and lewd or lascivious conduct. If convicted on a single misdemeanor charge, the remaining three players may face up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
