PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AFC : Blades Formally Charged in Cousin’s Shooting Death

Seattle Seahawk receiver Brian Blades was formally charged with manslaughter Wednesday by state prosecutors in the July 5 shooting death of his cousin.

Blades, 29, had been charged by police in July with the death of Charles Blades, 34, in Plantation, Fla.

But after further investigation by the Broward County state attorney’s office and Plantation police, a formal charge of manslaughter with a firearm was filed, said Peter Magrino, an assistant state attorney.

Blades’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said his client will plead not guilty.

Blades, free on $10,000 bond, refused to cooperate with police but has told reporters the shooting was unintentional.

A conviction on the manslaughter charge carries a maximum 30-year prison sentence. But Magrino said under sentencing guidelines, Blades would probably face seven to nine years.

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