Judge dismisses noise case NFL player

MACON - A Macon Municipal Court judge has dismissed a noise violation charge against Carolina Panthers&#39; defensive tackle Al Lucas, but a racial profiling complaint against the police officer in the case is still pending. <br> <br> Associate Judge Althea Buafo ruled yesterday that the October 6 citation against Lucas for blaring the stereo of his Chevrolet Suburban relied on a code section that dealt with someone operating a vehicle. <br> <br> The 23-year-old Lucas was washing his SUV at the home of his parents, state Representative David Lucas and City Councilwoman Elaine Lucas, when Macon police officer Daniel Epps arrived to cite him after a caller complained about the noise. <br> <br> The judge said he thought Lucas was charged under the wrong statute. <br> <br> The incident escalated when Epps cited Lucas and asked for his identification, which the player refused to produce. <br> <br> Two and a half hours later, at least four police cars and City Councilman Henry Ficklin had shown up, Elaine Lucas had called Police Chief Rodney Monroe, and authorities had decided that no one would be arrested. <br> <br> Elaine Lucas filed a formal complaint against Epps, charging the officer with being rude, trespassing on her property and was involved in racial profiling, even though she said the officer was black.

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