Tila Tequila’s attorney: NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman’s description of altercation is ’spin’

Reality star’s attorney: Linebacker’s story ’spin’

LOS ANGELES — Tila Tequila’s attorney is calling NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman’s explanation of an altercation with the reality star that led to his arrest “spin.”

Attorney Alan S. Gutman says Merriman’s public comments that he was trying to protect Tequila, who he thought was drunk, amount to another attack on his client. Gutman predicts Merriman’s story will be discredited.

Merriman was arrested early Sunday after Tequila accused him of choking and throwing her while she was at the San Diego Chargers player’s suburban San Diego home. Tequila signed a citizen’s arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment.

Prosecutors will have to decide whether to press charges, and Merriman and his attorney have said they expect him to be vindicated.