The scandal surrounding former Ravens running back Ray Rice has continued to deepen this week after his release by the Ravens for punching his now-wife in the face in an infamous elevator video. First, a longer version of the video was released. Then, the Associated Press has reported that not only was a league executive shown the video in April (long before what the NFL claimed in the wake of the scandal) but that the video was sent by a law enforcement official.
The AP says that a “law enforcement official” had a short voice mail on April 9th from a NFL official thanking him for a copy of the video and she notes on the recorded message that “You’re right. It’s terrible.”
That message would certainly suggest that the denial of knowledge before last Monday is questionable and adds to the controversy over the response of the NFL and Roger Goodell. However, I am more concerned about a law enforcement officer leaking a video to a private party anonymously. Since when does law enforcement collect evidence and then, in a non-public way, throw the evidence over a transom. There has been a long complaint over such leaks from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies designed to punish or pressure individuals.
The NFL announced that former FBI Director Robert Mueller will lead an independent inquiry into the league’s investigation. However, there has been no discussion about the authority or propriety of a law enforcement agent leaking this type of evidence. According to the AP, the officer insisted on anonymity and played the recording. Thus, you have a law enforcement officer who sends evidence to a private party and then gives a recording of that party to the press. It is all clearly calculated to punish Rice, the Ravens and/or the NFL.
I respect the AP’s work on this story, which is terrific. I also believe in the protection of such sources. However, there are legitimate concerns about what law enforcement office was responsible for leaking evidence against an individual for such purposes. There is no indication that the video was sent as part of a criminal investigation or why the NFL would be included in such a distribution. Indeed, it is not clear what office of law enforcement was involved. We do know that the Atlantic City police had reviewed surveillance footage in its investigation.
In the meantime, Atlantic County Prosecutor James McClain has denied special treatment for Rice who was able to enroll in a special treatment program despite his knocking his future wife unconscious and dragging her out of the elevator. As a first offender, he was given the alternative to jail — the same opportunity that other defendants have been accorded.
Source: CNN
I agree with Squeeky. If she doesn’t care, why should we? I’m more incensed by Michael Vick and his dog fighting and then being allowed back into professional football.
http://www.nonhumanslavery.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/dogfighting1.jpg
What Vick did is thousands of times worse.
The dogs didn’t have a choice. Rice’s wife does and she made a choice. It shouldn’t be any of our business. If people feel strongly enough about it they won’t watch the games.
Also agree. Don’t be hitting someone and not expect to be hit back. Dumb move girl.
Paul, I second that motion. She would now be PERFECT for that job, just PERFECT!
Squeeky, She was his fiancé when this occurred, They married AFTER this. They posted videos of their wedding. So, she is indeed complicit. But, this is an image problem for the NFL. The victim has to agree w/ the diversionary program Rice was offered. Hell, she probably pushed for it. So, in that respect, it is over. But, the NFL has a conduct clause in the basic agreement. They have a real thug problem and that is what led to that being negotiated w/ the players union. So, the NFL has every right to pursue actions. The overriding issue is Goodell lying. The NFL needs righteous leadership and they’re not getting it. What almost certainly happened is the owner of the Ravens, and the owners are Goodell’s boss, said we need to bury the bad footage so we just lose our valuable commodity for 2 games. Goodell, being a good employee, said “yes, sir, consider it buried.” An outraged cop IMO did the right thing and went to the press.
This will be interesting. The NFL is actually fighting a brand problem right now. The brand ain’t be looking so good lately. I don’t think Goodell has done much for the respectability of the game. I don’t really know what the right thing to do is, but I think they will sacrifice Rice to make an example out of him.
@NickS
It’s not over as far as his career is concerned. I would like to see him sign with the Cowboys or Saints. My point is, if his wife isn’t worrying about it, why the heck are we??? Talk about butting into people’s lives. My goodness, this is just the PC crap run amok.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
“However, there has been no discussion about the authority or propriety of a law enforcement agent leaking this type of evidence.”
Thank you, thank you, thank you! The FBI, among others, have made it part of their standard practice to leak information to the press in an effort to destroy a suspect personally. Richard Jewel found this out. Steven Hatfill found this out. Who knows how many other less well known people have been destroyed by law enforcement leaks. And ironically, they’ll demand the right to keep exactly this kind of information from the public when they don’t want it to get out. Hypocrites.
There needs to be the same kind of enforcement of leaks of investigations when it suites the prosecutors as there have been for whistle blowers.
Godell goes and Condi Rice becomes commissioner. Works for me.
SQueeky, The prosecutors saw the video and gave Rice pretrial diversion last May. As long as he complies, it’s over.
Rice was given pretrial diversion w/ counseling ordered in May. The police gave the video in April. I still don’t have a problem w/ that. The issue is the cover up by Goodell. JT does have his problems w/ cops! But, the cop issue is tangential @ best.
@Darren
Forget what the prosecutors may or may not do. The question is, why should the rest of us care??? Whatever happened, she ended up marrying the guy. Why should the NFL care??? Why are all the talking heads, talking???
This whole thing is just a bunch of BS, IMHO. Now, all us nosy-a$$ busybodies have ruined his career, and hurt her financially over some stupid stereotypes that women are too stupid to file charges when they have been legitimately assaulted.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Squeeky:
It is because the law requires a mandatory arrest in domestic violence cases. The situation was back in the 1980s and before that it often, perhaps usually the case, where one victim of domestic violence would be unduly influenced by the assaulter to drop or not press charges and then another act of violence would ensure against the victim. The issue has come numerous times country wide. Around 1985, at least in my state, the law required a mandatory arrest upon probable cause of a DV assault. Initially both parties were usually arrested but this had proven to have been to much and so the law was amended to take the “primary aggressor.” I can see an allegation of primary aggression in the case of the football player. But from what I read both were initially charged. I don’t know if this state has a primary aggressor element.
What ends up happening pre-trial is a different matter and it can be the case where the victim does not wish to provide any evidence and the lack of evidence makes it more difficult to convince a jury to enter a guilty finding. For that reason prosecutors need to manage resources for limited court slots. Deals are often made there.
I can see what you say about busy bodies trying to step in and influence this player’s treatment by his employer.
But in my view if this man punched a woman so hard as to knock her unconscious, well he has earned whatever scorn he receives in addition. So if the NFL kicks him out the door it’s fine with me. He not only lacks honor, but he is also beneath contempt.
In domestic assault/battery cases, isn’t it common for the state to file even if the victim refuses to prosecute? It’s hard to see how the state would not find the incident to be criminal.
In the first video – outside the elevator – she hits him. It also appears that she was drunk at the time from statements by bystanders. She is fine with getting hit. I do not agree with it, but I do think the NFL is playing to the public on this one. The Phoenix Suns traded a very good player because of domestic violence, but he wasn’t banned from the game. The Suns thought continuing to have him play would tarnish their image.
I did some quick research. The AC prosecutor gave Rice a pretrial diversion program.
Squeeky.
It is sometimes regardless of whether or not a victim of a domestic violence assault wanting to press charges. The state presses the charges in DV cases.
My take is the police legitimately had the videotape to assess on criminal charges. It was decided no charges would be filed. So, their reports and other evidence becomes public record. The NFL requests the public records for their investigation and it is received. What am I missing here??
I don’t know what is common in prosecutions in this district but it seems like a felony charge, which the original criminal complaint involved, should be treated more seriously than a misdemeanor assault, of which I can understand a no-jail sentence for first time offender.
As far as the law enforcement officer goes that is improper in handing the information about the football player to the NFL. I hope for their sake this was post conviction as it then becomes, at least in my state, subject to public disclose. But, to hand it over without going through the proper public records request process by the NFL itself is a bit troubling in this case.
Well, it looks to me like self defense. She seemed to be coming at him. Whatever, this should be between the two of them. If she didn’t file any charges, why should the rest of us give a hoot??? I think Ray Rice is the victim of a high tech lynching.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
JT, Your hand wringing over the leaking of the tape is duly noted. But, you do know how this world works, don’t you? And, since this was not a criminal investigation, why would it not be a public record?? I get videotapes, 911 tapes, legitimately[and sometimes otherwise] all the time.
Goodell is toast. NOW righteously called on Goodell to resign. They were painfully absent w/ Bubba. But, politics is more important to NOW than women.
So on his interview with Nora he lied.. He had no knowledge. Time for him to resign.
Many people ignore that accepting authority means accepting responsibility.
They love the rewards, but resent the accountability.