Kwame Harris in 2008 (Photo by Getty Images)
Kwame Harris, a former offensive lineman with the San Francisco 49ers, is facing felony charges of domestic violence for allegedly assaulting an ex-boyfriend last August in an argument started by soy sauce. Harris' attorney, who acknowledges his client was romantically involved with the other man, said authorities have charged the wrong man.
Reports in the San Jose Mercury News and San Mateo Daily Journal detail the charges. From the Mercury News:
The trouble started August 21 when Harris and ex-boyfriend Dimitri Geier were sharing dinner at Su Hong restaurant in Menlo Park. Harris was to drive Geier to San Francisco International Airport for a flight following the meal. But the men began to argue after Geier poured soy sauce on some rice, which upset Harris, according to a civil lawsuit Geier filed in San Mateo County.
Kwame Harris, a former offensive lineman with the San Francisco 49ers, is facing felony charges of domestic violence for allegedly assaulting an ex-boyfriend last August in an argument started by soy sauce. Harris’ attorney, who acknowledges his client was romantically involved with the other man, said authorities have charged the wrong man.
Reports in the San Jose Mercury News and San Mateo Daily Journal detail the charges. From the Mercury News:
The trouble started August 21 when Harris and ex-boyfriend Dimitri Geier were sharing dinner at Su Hong restaurant in Menlo Park. Harris was to drive Geier to San Francisco International Airport for a flight following the meal. But the men began to argue after Geier poured soy sauce on some rice, which upset Harris, according to a civil lawsuit Geier filed in San Mateo County.
The arguing continued and escalated, until finally Harris revoked his offer to drop Geier off at the airport. Geier agreed to take a cab instead, but as they went to retrieve has bags from Harris’ car the dispute turned violent. Harris allegedly tried to pull down Geier’s pants and accused the ex of stealing his underwear, according to the suit. At some point the struggle came to blows.
The punches from Harris broke bones around Geier’s eye socket and led a metal plate being installed in his face to repair the physical damage from the beating, his suit says. [Harris’ attorney Alan] Cintean said Geier struck first, but because his injuries were worse, prosecutors elected to charge Harris in connection with the violence.
Cintean and San Mateo Chief Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti said Harris and Geier were involved in the past but were just friends at the time of the alleged assault. Harris has been charged with “felony counts of domestic violence causing great bodily injury and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury.” The police report lists Harris, 30, as 6-7 and 240 pounds and Geier at 6-1 and 220 pounds. A trial date has not been set and Harris could face up to seven years in prison if convicted. Cintean said his client fought back in self-defense and accuses Geier of filing a civil suit to get money.
Harris, a first-round pick from Stanford, played for the 49ers from 2003-2007 and with the Raiders in 2008.
Neither story uses the word “gay” to describe Harris, though both the prosecutor and Harris’ attorney said the men were romantically involved and both papers use the term “ex-boyfriend,” so draw your own conclusions.
