MIAMI -- Questions raised about an assistant state attorney's personal Web page have led to him being removed from a high-profile case.

Lawyers representing former University of Miami and current Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor asked the judge in his aggravated assault and simple battery trial to dismiss the charges because of what they call "prosecutorial misconduct."

Defense attorneys alleged that Miami-Dade County prosecutor Mike Grieco posted articles about the NFL player's case on MySpace.com, a social networking Web site.

Attorneys claim Grieco, who also works as a disc jockey, had information about his alter ego, "DJ Esquire," on his personal page. They also said he had posted pornographic pictures that have since been removed.

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Grieco's Myspace.com Page (NOTE: VIEWERS OVER 18 ONLY)
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Defense attorneys argued that a prosecutor should not use a high-profile case such as Taylor's to promote a side business.

"The Web site is clear: 'Links to my (press) coverage,'" defense attorney Richard Sharpstein said. "You click on it, it's all about the Sean Taylor case. It's not about some burglary prosecuted in Overtown."

State Attorney's Office Responds

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the Office of the State Attorney said:

"While nothing on Assistant State Attorney Mike Grieco's Web site compromised the integrity of the Sean Taylor case, Mr. Grieco, as the prosecutor, feels that the case is more important than any individual who would prosecute it. The desire to smear a prosecutor and affect a potential jury pool is a reprehensible trial tactic. Every case should be decided by the relevant evidence presented to a jury.
"To insure the proper handling of this case, Mr. Grieco has reluctantly asked to have another Assistant State Attorney replace him as he sees himself becoming the courtroom focus, rather than the individual charged with the criminal offense.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Grieco had not deleted the messages and images sent to him at his personal Web site. That has been rectified and he has disabled the Web site."

Allegations Against Taylor

Taylor has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and simple battery.

Prosecutors said Taylor pulled a gun on three men last year because he thought they had stolen his all-terrain vehicles. He faces up to 16 years in prison if convicted.

Taylor signed a seven-year, $18 million contract after being drafted by the Redskins in 2004. He is free on bond.