Laurence Maroney Not Guilty On Marijuana Possession, Looks To Sign With New Team

Former Denver Broncos running back Laurence Maroney has been found not guilty on charges of marijuana possession. On Jan. 18, Maroney was reportedly part of a group of men involved in a high speed chase in St. Louis and subsequently arrested for supposedly holding marijuana. His publicist claimed it was a total coincidence that Maroney was even near the incident.

On Tuesday, Maroney's lawyer asked the judge for a directed decision because he believed the case against Maroney had no evidence to support their conclusion. The judge agreed and issued a directed verdict, basically saying that there was insufficient proof in the case and that the jury would find no possible way to convict Maroney.

Maroney now needs to find a new team to take on his services. He arrived in Denver in 2010 after Josh McDaniels sent a fourth-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for him. He was injured for the season, but when he did play it just wasn't very good--just like the entire Broncos' running game in 2010.

Report: Broncos' Laurence Maroney Arrested On Monday Night

According to KWGN Denver, Denver Broncos running back Laurence Maroney was arrested on Monday night in St. Louis for unlawful weapons and drug charges:

The [police] report says Maroney and three other men were in a vehicle pulled over by officers following a high speed chase. Police say Maroney was arrested and released, but would not confirm the charges against him.

However, Maroney's publicist claims that no arrest occurred and that he was released without being charged for any crimes. Accordingly, his publicist says that Maroney was "behind the car [in question] by pure coincidence."

Maroney was born in St. Louis and was a standout high school running back. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2006 draft and was traded to the Broncos (along with a 2011 sixth-round pick ) in 2010 for a 2011 fourth-round selection. He played in four games and started three when Knowshon Moreno was out with injury. He gained 74 yards on 36 carries and zero touchdowns in weeks 3-6.

This is another in a line of police incidents for Denver Broncos players since 2010. Linebacker D.J. Williams was arrested for DUI in November, since-released linebacker Kevin Alexander was arrested on domestic violence charges and rookie cornerback Perrish Cox has been charged with sexual assault. Injured linebacker pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil had a run-in with a Invesco Field attendant and the police were involved.