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(AP) - Former Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller was
sentenced Monday to 60 days in the Hennepin County workhouse for
resisting Minneapolis police officers after a traffic stop, a
punishment that went beyond prosecutors' recommendations.


      Judge Dan Mabley rejected a request to delay the sentence 24
hours to allow Eller to get his affairs in order, ordering him
taken into custody immediately. In doing so, Mabley claimed that
Eller had called the police and the court corrupt and biased.


      "I have to send a message that I do not find credible what he
has asserted," Mabley said. "The best way I can to that is to
take him into custody."


      Mabley also ordered Eller to serve 60 days on electronic home
monitoring, additional probation and to pay a $3,000 fine.


      Prosecutors had sought a 60-day sentence that Eller could serve
on home monitoring.


      "This was a stern sentence," Hennepin County Attorney Mike
Freeman said.


      Eller's attorney, Albert Goins, called the sentence
"extraordinary" and said he would discuss an appeal with Eller as
soon as possible.


      "We are surprised and chagrined that the judge would impose a
jail sentence," Goins said. He noted that the prosecution asked
for home confinement, not jail time.


      Goins said Eller has never criticized the court, although he had
questioned the conduct of police and prosecutors. Goins said Eller
was being punished for exercising his First Amendment rights and
the civil rights of all defendants.


      "I think that raises serious concerns for all citizens," Goins
said of the sentence.


      In January, Mabley convicted the 67-year-old Eller of
fourth-degree assault of a police officer and second-degree refusal
to submit to chemical testing, both gross misdemeanors.


      Mabley found that Eller had been drinking at Bunker's bar in
Minneapolis before he drove through a stop sign and swerved toward
a squad car, just missing it, early April 9. Officers followed
Eller, but he did not stop until he pulled into his driveway.


      Mabley found that once Eller stepped out of his vehicle, he did
not obey commands to show his hands and he resisted arrest. He
fought with the two officers, and was not subdued until backup
officers arrived.


      In court, Eller said the arrest "has been a difficult time for
everyone" and that he was "saddened by the events that
happened." He said he had made some changes in his life since
then.


      "I made the decision that my behavior was going on a path that
was not healthy for me," he said.


      Freeman said that Eller will get chemical dependency treatment
and be subject to random testing. Should he fail a test, he could
spend more time in the workhouse.


      Eller has filed a federal lawsuit against police, claiming
officers violated his civil rights, used excessive force and
concealed videotape evidence of his arrest.


      The two officers who arrested Eller were in court Monday and
gave statements before sentencing. Afterward, one of them, Seth
Porras, said he thought the punishment was appropriate.


      "I hope this will be a turning point in his life," Porras said
of Eller. "And I hope we can get back to doing our job."


      Eller was one of the Vikings' celebrated "Purple People
Eaters" in his 15 years with Minnesota from 1964-78. He played in
six Pro Bowls and all four of the Vikings' Super Bowl appearances.
He finished his career in 1979 with Seattle. He was inducted into
the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Gallery

Judge: Eller guilty of assault on police

Former Viking Carl Eller sues Minneapolis police

Ex-Viking Carl Eller arrested for alcohol-related driving offense

Crime, Law and Justice

Eller, 67, was convicted of driving while intoxicated
and assault after a confrontation with two police officers who
followed Eller's vehicle to his house in April.

Former Viking Eller sentenced to workhouse

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