Former Steeler Stuvaints Shot, Testifies On Behalf Of Case Defendant

Russell Stuvaints, a former member of the Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary for three seasons, appeared in a downtown court today and testified on behalf of the defendant in a North Versailles bar shooting. Stuvaints was shot in the hip early on Sunday morning, along with four other people, at Nigro's Restaurant on 5th Avenue.

The accused gunman is professional boxer, and friend of Stuvaints, Tyrone Watson, 27. Watson is charged with firing more than six shots after verbal altercations with several other bar guests.

Stuvaints is among three other victims who testified that Watson not only did not fire the shots, but was not even present at the bar that night. "I know the dude is a professional boxer and I'm a pro football player, but I know he wasn't there that day, I don't want him locked up," Stuvaints said. "Why would someone who was shot come in and say he (Watson) didn't do it?"

Despite hearing four of the five victims claim that Watson was not present at Nigro's that night, the presiding judge refused to lower the defendant's $500,000 bond.