Felony charge dismissed in Roger Mayweather assault case

By Cara McCoy

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 | 10:56 a.m.

One of three felony charges against boxing trainer Roger Mayweather stemming from the alleged beating and choking of a female boxer last August at a Las Vegas apartment was dismissed this morning.

Mayweather, 48, is the uncle and trainer of boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. He was facing felony charges of coercion, battery-strangulation and battery with substantial bodily harm in connection with the alleged assault but after arguments this morning from his attorney, Jack Buchanan, District Court Judge Valerie Adair dismissed the coercion charge.

Buchanan also argued for the battery with substantial bodily harm count to be dismissed.

“I just don’t think that what she testified to – sharp pain for a month – is enough,” Buchanan said of the battery with substantial bodily harm charge.

Adair said she agreed with the justice of the peace who heard the case at a preliminary hearing, who found enough evidence was presented that Mayweather should answer to the battery charge in district court.

At the Jan. 15 preliminary hearing, the alleged victim, Melissa St. Vil, testified that Mayweather entered her apartment in the 700 block of Rock Springs Drive, near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Rainbow Boulevard, and started a physical altercation that left her bruised and in severe pain.

“Although the victim in this case is a boxer, so is Mr. Mayweather,” Adair said.

Buchanan interjected: “Retired, judge. He’s a trainer.”

Also today a trial date previously set for June 1 was vacated when Buchanan cited a conflict with another case set to go to trial at the same time. Mayweather’s trial is now set for Aug. 2.

After the hearing, Buchanan said he was pleased the coercion charge was dismissed.

“There wasn’t enough evidence to support the charge and we assumed it would be dismissed,” he said.

Mayweather, whose presence wasn’t required, didn’t attend Tuesday’s hearing. He has remained out of custody after posting $13,000 bail upon his arrest after the scuffle.