JUDGE DENIES BAIL FOR NEWTON

DALLAS - Former Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton now resides in a
Seagoville detention center after a judge on Friday ordered the three-time
Super Bowl champion be held on federal drug trafficking charges.

Magistrate Paul D. Stickney denied bail for Newton during a detention
hearing in a Dallas federal court. The judge cited a concern that the
six-time Pro Bowl guard was arrested by federal agents Wednesday while free
on bail in connection with similar charges in Louisiana.

"I find that there is no condition that I can set to assure the safety of
the public," Stickney said. He added that Newton's lawyer, Howard Shapiro
of Plano, can argue for bail again, if he finds new evidence justifying bail.

Newton, 39, clad in leg shackles and a tight-fitting orange jail jump suit,
was stoic during the proceedings.

His face lit up only when he saw former teammate Michael Irvin in the
courtroom. They embraced during a break and shared a private conversation,
forehead to forehead. Newton shook his head as he spoke.

After the hearing, Irvin was asked if he is disappointed with Newton.

"I love Nate, and disappointment is a part of life," Irvin said. "I've
disappointed a lot of people in my life, but what I want Nate to have is
the peace that I have, and only Jesus Christ can give him that."

Shapiro said he is disappointed bail was denied, but added that the
government's case "seems pretty flimsy to me."

Federal prosecutors believe Newton and his passenger, Bruce Freeman-Canady,
traveled in Newton's red Ford F-150 pickup in formation with a white
Chevrolet rental car that was alleged to be carrying a shipment of
marijuana from Garland to Houston.

The vehicles, followed by agents who were acting on a tip, followed a
circuitous route through Dallas, eventually turning south on Interstate 45.
Officers stopped the vehicles near Palmer in Ellis County, where they said
they found about 175 pounds of marijuana in the rental car.

No drugs were found in Newton's truck, but tests later discovered trace
amounts of marijuana on his luggage. Shapiro asserted this evidence would
be insufficient to win a conviction.

Also at the hearing Friday, Freeman-Canady, 30, of Jacksonville, Fla., was
released to home detention. Others charged in the case are Charles Deaundra
Howard, 25, of Garland, who reportedly drove the rental car, and Billy
Crenshaw, 25, of Dallas.

Agents said Crenshaw brought an informant to a meeting in Garland. Agents
have issued a warrant for Crenshaw, but he wasn't arrested with the others
on Wednesday.

Newton was arrested Nov. 4 in Louisiana after state police reported finding
more than 200 pounds of marijuana in the van he was driving. He was
released after posting $100,000 bail.

An arraignment in that case is scheduled for January, but Shapiro wondered
if the latest arrest could cause a forfeiture and an early return to state
custody in Louisiana.

"I have every indication that they will declare his bond insufficient, but
federal custody may supersede."