Tila Tequila's Lawyer Responds to Merriman's Statement

After San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, released a statement this week with his side of what happened between him and Tila Tequila during an altercation this weekend, Tila's lawyer is now responding on behalf of his reality star client.

Shawne was arrested early Sunday morning after Tila (born Tila Ngyuen) called the police, saying he had choked her and thrown her. She signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing Shawne of battery and false imprisonment.

The NFL player immediately issued a statement on Sunday, saying he did nothing wrong and that Tila was drunk, and he was trying to keep her safe.

"I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported," Merriman's statement read.

Attorney Alan S. Gutman said in a statement that Shawne's public comments that he was trying to protect Tequila and claimed she was intoxicated, amount to another attack on his client.

"Shawne Merriman and his advisors have decided that the best defense is a good offense, attacking Tila Tequila in the press with a lot of calculated spin to cover up his illegal and indefensible actions," Gutman's statement read. "It is never justifiable to brutally assault, choke, strike and imprison a woman. Once the truth is fully revealed, Mr. Merriman's fantastic story of how he was trying to keep Ms. Tequila safe will be completely discredited."