Steroids Are Suspected in Foley Case

SAN DIEGO (AP) _ Prosecutors suspect Chargers linebacker Steve Foley was on steroids when he was shot three times by an off-duty police officer. <br/><br/>``His history of aggressive and even violent contact

Thursday, September 14th 2006, 1:22 pm

By: News On 6

SAN DIEGO (AP) _ Prosecutors suspect Chargers linebacker Steve Foley was on steroids when he was shot three times by an off-duty police officer.

``His history of aggressive and even violent contact with law enforcement indicates the possibility of more than mere alcohol involvement,'' wrote criminal investigator Dan Nordell in an affidavit for a search warrant. ``(Steroids) can cause erratic behavior in those that use them. This has been given names like 'roid rage for the uncontrollable outbursts and violence experienced by some users.''

On Thursday, prosecutors requested a sample of Foley's blood from Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was reported in fair condition earlier this week.

Authorities have no evidence that Foley was using performance-enhancing drugs but want to test his blood because the linebacker has had previous run-ins with law enforcement, according to the affidavit.

Foley's attorney, John G. Phillips, did not immediately respond to a phone message.

Investigators already have asked prosecutors to charge Foley with misdemeanor drunk driving. In the affidavit, an investigator said Foley's blood-alcohol level was 0.233 percent, nearly three times California's legal limit of 0.08 percent, when he was shot Sept. 3 outside his home in suburban Poway.

Foley was shot three times _ twice in the back of the left leg and once on the outside of the left thigh _ by an off-duty Coronado police officer near his home. San Diego County sheriff's officials said the officer followed Foley's car on suspicion that the driver was drunk.

According to the sheriff's department, Foley got out of the car and began walking toward the officer, who said he was armed and fired a warning shot. The officer shot Foley after the linebacker reached into his pants with his right hand.

The officer, Aaron Mansker, has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Since 1999, Foley has been arrested at least five times, including cases that police say involved alcohol and confrontations with officers.

In April, he was arrested for investigation of resisting arrest after police said he scuffled with officers. He also was booked for investigation of battery on a police officer and public drunkenness, but the district attorney's office decided there wasn't enough evidence to bring charges in that case.

Before that, Foley pleaded guilty to drunken driving in Louisiana in 1999 and received probation.