Jones appeals '07 shooting jury award

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LAS VEGAS, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- A lawyer for Adam "Pacman" Jones is appealing a $9.6 million jury award in a Las Vegas strip club shooting, officials said.

A Nevada jury awarded two employees at the strip club $11 million in total, the bulk of which, $9.6 million, was given to Tommy Urbanski, a club manager who was wounded and paralyzed following a well-publicized melee involving Jones during the NBA all star weekend held there in 2007.

The award stems from the 2007 incident when Jones was a patron at the club, Minxx, and showering strippers with money. He became upset when the strippers began taking the money he'd thrown on stage. A brawl ensued and Jones was thrown out of the club. Outside, the Las Vegas Sun reported, Jones was seen conferring with Arvin Kenti Edwards, 33.

Edwards opened fire on the strip club after speaking with Jones, striking Urbanski and another employee, Aaron Cudworth, a bouncer.

The NFL and Jones' lawyer are appealing the ruling and the case has been referred to a Nevada State Supreme Court judge to serve as mediator. A hearing is expected in the next 30 days, the Sun reports.

Jones, a cornerback who was suspended due to legal problems for the entire 2007 season and a portion of 2008, was granted a 12-month suspended sentence following the incident. Edwards is serving a four-to-10 year prison term after accepting a plea deal.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Jones' lawyer said her client is unlikely to be able to pay the $9.6 million portion of the settlement. His base NFL salary for this year is $955,000 and is contingent on his being healthy enough to play. Jones missed eight games last year to injury.