Ray Rice Prosecutors Defend No-Jail Deal Despite Video

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-09/ray-rice-prosecutors-defend-no-jail-deal-despite-video.html

By David Voreacos Sep 10, 2014 9:25 AM CT

Ray Rice, the former Baltimore Ravens running back shown in an elevator video punching his then-fiancee, didn’t get special treatment by avoiding jail and probation, according to New Jersey prosecutors.

The video shows Rice knocking Janay Palmer unconscious in an Atlantic City casino on Feb. 15. It was released two days ago by the website TMZ, prompting the Ravens to cut him with three years remaining on his five-year, $35 million contract. The National Football League also suspended the three-time All-Pro indefinitely after earlier banning him for two games.

Atlantic County Prosecutor James McClain agreed in May to let Rice enter the Pre-Trial Intervention program, a rehabilitation alternative to prosecution. If Rice completes an anger-management program and complies with other terms, the charges will be dropped and he won’t have a record of conviction.

“Mr. Rice received the same treatment by the criminal justice system in Atlantic County that any first-time offender has, in similar circumstances,” Jay McKeen, a spokesman for McClain, said yesterday in an e-mail. “The decision was correct.”

FULL story and video at link.

[PeaceNikki]

1. Bullshit. That wasn't a relatively benign action, that was a violent punch that knocked her out cold

That was above and beyond what should be acceptable to be eligible for any punishment that would end in it being expunged from his criminal record.

[questionseverything]

2. this federal judge is getting same deal

NFL's Ray Rice Loses Job for Knocking Out Wife, Federal Judge Mark Fuller Keeps Lifetime Appointment After Beating Wife Bloody
By BRAD FRIEDMAN on 9/10/2014 6:05am PT
The NFL has been appropriately shamed this week for not taking substantive action immediately in the case of Baltimore Ravens' superstar Ray Rice after he knocked his wife out cold in an Atlantic City hotel elevator earlier this year.

But what about the failure of the Judicial and Congressional branches, so far, to take any action at all in the case of federal U.S. District Court Judge Mark Fuller after he beat his wife bloody in an Atlanta hotel room last month?

Both Rice and Fuller, as supposedly first-time offenders, were allowed to participate in pre-trial diversion programs to avoid prosecution entirely. Rice agreed to attend domestic abuse counseling for a year. Fuller will have his arrest record expunged after completion of once-weekly domestic abuse counseling for just 24 weeks.

Rice was eventually suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

Fuller enjoys a lifetime appointment as a federal judge --- and can only be removed from his $200,000/year job-for-life if he is impeached and found guilty by Congress.

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bad enough for a football player but a judge that makes life and death decisions?

[PeaceNikki]

4. ugh

[msanthrope]

3. As a criminal defense attorney, I call Bullshite. nt

[Johonny]

5. From what I read yesterday the state is looking into the matter

They might change the law to remove violent offenders from being able to accept these deals in the future like in many other places. They are also looking into if favoritism was at play here since many in the state's legal infrastructure claim it was an unusual deal given the video. I think we will see some action on this...

[justiceischeap]

6. And let's say he doesn't beat anyone up for a year

And his record is cleared. What happens if he beats someone up again? Another first offense since his record was expunged?

It's no wonder we have such a hard time getting justice for DV victims.

[Jefferson23]

7. Inexcusable. n/t