Falcons rookie, former UGA star Zachariah Branch charges dropped, attorney says
Article excerpt
Zachariah Branch, an Atlanta Falcons rookie and former University of Georgia football star, had his charges dropped, according to his attorney. The brief announcement provides few details about the nature of the charges or the circumstances leading to their dismissal. Branch was drafted by Atlanta and had been a notable prospect coming out of UGA. The exact timing and reasons for the dropped charges were not specified in the statement.
The attorney for a former University of Georgia football star and Atlanta Falcons rookie says his charges have been dropped.
In a statement to ESPN, Zachariah Branch’s attorney, Kim Stephens, said state prosecutors reviewed evidence and dismissed the charges.
“Zachariah cooperated fully with law enforcement and did not commit a crime on the night of his arrest and never should have been arrested,” Stephens said in the statement. “We are glad this matter is over and that Mr. Branch’s excellent reputation and good name [are] restored.”
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Branch, 22, was arrested in April just a few hours after UGA’s annual G-Day spring game by Athens-Clarke County police.
Police say that as the downtown establishments were closing in Athens, he was told to disperse and didn’t comply. He had been charged with obstruction and obstructing a public sidewalk.
The wide receiver was third round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons just a few days after his arrest.
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