Danton denounces family in his first statement

ST. LOUIS -- In his first public statement since being arrested on murder-for-hire charges, St. Louis Blues player Mike Danton says he suffered emotional and physical abuse during his childhood, according to a published report.

Danton is accused of trying to hire someone to kill his agent, David Frost.

While at the Clinton County Jail, Danton read a statement over the phone Friday night that focused on his relationship with his estranged parents, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The statement outlined allegations of "constant physical and emotional abuse" and discussed the squalid conditions in which Danton was apparently raised. Danton's parents and family friends have disputed those allegations.

"Their deceptions and lies throughout the past three weeks are a sign of the erratic lifestyle that I have lived," he said.

Defense attorney Robert Haar said he was unaware that Danton was going to issue the statement.

Danton was raised as Mike Jefferson but legally changed his name two years ago.

Stephen Jefferson, Danton's father, said the comments indicate that Danton is a troubled man.

"It hurts the family to hear that type of nonsense from him, but it just shows how badly Mike needs help," he said.

Federal prosecutors said during a detention hearing Friday that Danton tried at least three times to hire a hit man to kill Frost.

Frost has consistently denied that he was the person Danton wanted killed.