Charge dismissed against ex-Bengals, UGA linebacker

SANDUSKY, Ohio -- Prosecutors in northern Ohio have dismissed an assault case against former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman.

He was accused of punching a man and breaking his jaw last year at an indoor water park in Sandusky. But Thurman said it was a case of mistaken identity, claiming he was in his hometown of Monticello, when the fight supposedly occurred.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of felonious assault, and the trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday. However, Erie County Sheriff's investigators said they needed more time to investigate Thurman's alibi, so prosecutors chose on Monday to dismiss the case without prejudice. That means charges may be refiled later if any new evidence is found.