by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Just hours before the Eagles were due to play their first round NAB Cup game, Daniel Kerr - who was not selected in the team - was arrested for disorderly conduct. Apparently, Kerr accompanied a friend to the hospital after the latter fell ill while the pair were at a restaurant. Kerr was asked to leave the hospital by staff because of his behavior. Kerr allegedly then got into an altercation with a cab driver outside the hospital, jumped on the trunk of the cab, and broke off the rear aerial. Police are also investigating claims Kerr struck the cabbie with the aerial. He was later arrested in a nearby suburb and taken to the local station where he shared a cell with an Eagle supporter. The unnamed supporter said Kerr was drunk and still in a confrontational mood as he threatened a "punch-up" after the supporter spoke to him.
Kerr was found guilty of drunk and disorderly, assault, and willful damage in a Perth Court. Kerr, whose lawyer said Kerr had no recollection of the incident because of extreme intoxication, was fined $1500 for assaulting a cab driver, $300 for breaking the cab's aerial, and ordered to pay for a new one.
He issued a public apology for his actions and expressed shame and remorse. He also faced the wrath of the West Coast board and apologize to the club and his teammates. The Eagles fined him $10,000 - the maximum allowed under AFLPA rules - and also issued a stern warning that Kerr would face more severe penalties if he transgressed again. To that end the club also imposed a suspended fine of $20,000 and suspension from the team.
He and his father also have charges pending from a fight at his home in January. He also appeared in court for that incident, but that case will continue in August.
Kerr has a history of run ins with the law. In 2004 Kerr was fined $400 for passing a fake prescription for Valium to a pharmacist. In 2002, he was involved in a brawl with fellow Eagle star Ben Cousins in which Cousins broke his arm.
Source: Melbourne Age & Gary Stocks, Club Media Release
Article last changed on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 9:42 AM EST
