Eller's hearing on April clash with police officers postponed

Kyndell Harkness, Dml - Star Tribune

Former Viking Carl Eller, before heading upstairs for a hearing that was later postponed. His case is due back in court on May 19.

Eller's hearing has been postponed until May 19. Eller appeared in court, but no formal hearing was held.

Star Tribune

Last update: April 30, 2008 - 11:22 PM

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A Hennepin County District Court hearing for Vikings legend Carl Eller was postponed Wednesday until May 19.

Eller was to be in court for a hearing on charges related to his allegedly profanity-laced, drunken and violent confrontation with police at his north Minneapolis home three weeks ago.

Eller's lawyer and a prosecutor met behind closed doors with Judge Dan Mabley briefly before a clerk emerged and said the hearing was postponed pending more discovery on the case. Eller, who is not in custody, waited in a room next to the courtroom. He didn't comment.

Eller, 66, was charged April 10 with fourth-degree assault and terroristic threats, both felonies. He also was charged with drunken driving and refusing to submit to a sobriety test, both gross misdemeanors. He was released from the county jail on $50,000 bail.

Police contend Eller hit two officers several times, threatened to kill them and threw one of them onto the hood of a car during a scuffle in Eller's garage after the officers caught up to him after a short pursuit.

It took the arrival of at least three other officers to subdue Eller by placing him in a neck hold. Attempts to subdue him with a Taser failed.

In 2006, Eller pleaded guilty to fourth-degree drunken driving while refusing a chemical alcohol test. His two-year probation ended last month.

ROCHELLE OLSON