By Joe Knaapen
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
Door County District Attorney Ray Pelrine said Friday that he expected to decide by Sept. 12 whether criminal charges will be filed in connection with a bar incident involving Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett.
Pelrine agreed July 2 to review allegations that Barnett, 26, was involved in a pushing and shoving incident June 17 with a woman at an Appleton bar.
Pelrine agreed to handle the matter as a special prosecutor at the request of Outagamie County District Attorney Carrie Schneider.
After the incident, Barnett was jailed and released after posting bond.
Since taking the assignment, Pelrine reviewed the initial information prepared by the Appleton Police Department. Next, Pelrine asked the department to do a little more work, which officers completed about two weeks ago.
The details are now in Pelrine¹s hands, and he must decide whether there is enough evidence to show that a crime was commited, and if so, what crime, and whether Barnett can be accused of any offense.
If criminal charges are warranted, they will be filed in Outagamie County Circuit Court.
In a telephone interview this week, Pelrine declined to comment on details of the case.
"Ethically," Pelrine said, "if I have not filed a charge, I should not be speaking about a specific case."
The Packers open their regular season at home Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.




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