Yesterday we told you how we had our doubts about Tila “Tequila” Nguyen's claims that her boyfriend, Charger linebacker Shawne Merriman, choked and restrained her during a spat in San Diego's North County last weekend. The local district attorney's office seemed to have similar doubts, and declined to pursue a case against the NFL player.

Today, TMZ published photos of the internet model and reality television star, images that she says depict bruises inflicted by the 6 foot, 4 inch football player.

Now, you should judge for yourself, but is it just us, or do these photos seem fishy? First, why weren't they taken as evidence and then released by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department or the district attorney down there. Second, when were they shot? Third, the images seem to show some bruising on Nguyen's forearms, but we don't see much on her neck. Her primary claim was that he choked her. Hmm.

Authorities in San Diego said both of the lovers had been drinking and clubbing the night of the fight. Nguyen says she doesn't drink — that an allergy to alcohol inspired her nickname. (This shot is particularly hard to swallow, even with lime and salt). She also argued that the powers that be in San Diego have too much invested in the Chargers to let Merriman go to trial and possibly to jail.

Frankly, when you pit a 6-4 hulk against a 4 foot, 11 inch, 100 pound woman, we'd like to give her the benefit of the doubt. But the more this drags out, the more suspect the West Hollywood resident's claims seem to us. Nguyen says she's taking Merriman to civil court, so maybe we'll all get to the bottom of this Battle of Tequila some day.

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