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Suspects claim Mike Adams started confrontation night he was stabbed

Steelers offensive tackle Mike Adams appeared in front of a Municipal Court judge Thursday, testifying against Michael C. Paranay, Duquay Means and Jarrel Whitlock, the three men being held in connection with the assault that left Adams stabbed in the abdomen and forearm.

Jared Wickerham

Randall McKinney, the lawyer for Michael C. Paranay, one of the three men accused of assaulting Steelers offensive tackle Mike Adams on Pittsburgh's South Side in June, disputed Adams' testimony at his client's preliminary hearing Thursday.

The other two defendants, Duquay Means and Jarrell Whitlock, have separate attorneys.

"The story Mr. Adams told today is inaccurate. He actually instigated this incident," McKinney said outside the courthouse.

Video taken by WTAE in Pittsburgh shows McKinney making his claim, and smirking after he's asked "how's so?" McKinney responds, "I don't want to get into the details of the defense's case. "

After what appears to be cut footage, the video records McKinney saying "It certainly didn't happen the way Mr. Adams said."

According to Adams' testimony, he was inside his truck, eating a sandwich at 2:55 a.m. ET, when the three suspects approached him. Adams got out of the truck with the three men around him. He said Paranay jumped on the floor boards of the vehicle and heard Whitlock say "Let me kill him" as Means flashed a handgun.

Adams said Paranay then came from behind him and punched him in the face, and Whitlock stabbed him.

The injuries Adams suffered required surgery, and that held him out of the Steelers' Organized Team Activities in May and June and the team's minicamp in June. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Each suspect has plead not guilty, and has not yet received a trial date.

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