MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings Daunte Culpepper,
Bryant McKinnie and Fred Smoot have pleaded not guilty to charges
related to the team's bawdy boating party.
A court clerk told The Associated Press on Wednesday that an
attorney for Smoot entered a plea Tuesday in Hennepin County
District Court and that pleas for Culpepper and McKinnie were
entered late last month.
Culpepper, McKinnie, Smoot and teammate Moe Williams face three
misdemeanor charges each related to the party Oct. 6 on Lake
Minnetonka. They were charged with indecent conduct, disorderly
conduct and lewd or lascivious conduct.
Williams' attorney, Joe Friedberg, said he will enter a plea of
not guilty on Thursday.
Sheriff Pat McGowan has said about 30 members of the team were
identified as being among 90 people on two boats that cruised the
lake west of Minneapolis during the Vikings' bye week.
The clerk said the players waived initial court appearances
scheduled for Thursday. A pretrial conference was set for Feb. 2.
Prosecutor Steve Tallen said Wednesday that the case remains
under investigation.