No, I would think that be falsely accused would be just as bad.You know, it’s difficult to escape the idea that this whole ordeal is driving his uber-irrational behavior lately. And if that’s the case, then does it portend that he’s guilty? I mean, if iyoure truly innocent and are being extorted, don’t you say “well that royally sucks, but I’ll let my lawyers handle it” and move on with your life best you can? He may feel trapped (and guilty) and see his world falling down around him.
But what if you found out he was falsely accused while he was still with Oakland?No, I would think that be falsely accused would be just as bad.
It's not common because, well, we haven't been here before.Is it common for Stacey James to not comment, even with a simple “we are gathering information” or something like that?
That what occurred? You really think the Pats are going to try to make a call as to whether the sex with her was consensual or not? Ray Rice and Hernandez were completely different. Good Lord.If there is strong evidence that this occurred, he will but cut immediately, just like Ray Rice and Aaron Hernandez.
If he knows he is guilty and caught, he probably would have wrote her a check.You know, it’s difficult to escape the idea that this whole ordeal is driving his uber-irrational behavior lately. And if that’s the case, then does it portend that he’s guilty? I mean, if iyoure truly innocent and are being extorted, don’t you say “well that royally sucks, but I’ll let my lawyers handle it” and move on with your life best you can? He may feel trapped (and guilty) and see his world falling down around him
Moss in 2008. Can’t remember if team commented.It's not common because, well, we haven't been here before.
Not true.It's not common because, well, we haven't been here before.
The NFL could attempt an investigation, but I could see it as problematic. As there is now active litigation, people will be advised to not say anything beyond what has been made public. It's different situation from where the victim drops charges but video or other evidence such as police reports exist.Mostly but I also was speculating or at least asking whether it was common for lawyers who bring sexual battery cases to first advise going to the police. My perception is that’s kind of the standard advice.
If she didn’t, I suppose it’s possible that they will open an investigation anyway now.
And I also assume that if Roger doesn’t at least consider a personal conduct policy investigation then Jerry Jones will lose his shit.
I'm not trying to diminish false rape accusations in the slightest...and I don't really have a response to what you say here. I was thinking because hes rich, but that's silly. We also don't know what kind of mental state he was in before this allegation. Something like this could easily send someone on a downward spiral. I take back what I said, except for the part about this being the driver behind his recent behavior. That's entirely possible - likely even.No, I would think that be falsely accused would be just as bad.
That's not a terrible argument either.If he knows he is guilty and caught, he probably would have wrote her a check.
Okay, fine. It happened 11 years ago. I have no idea however if we really should expect a comment tonight.Moss in 2008. Can’t remember if team commented.
Yeah, that’s disappointing.Yuck. I wish I hadn’t read that. Nope—I never sexually assaulted anyone, Bill.
We had a multiple murderer on the team.I hate to say it, but I’d go with #2. It’s just not worth the risk. I understand that opens all kinds of dangerous Pandora’s boxes, but as a fan, I don’t want that hanging over my favorite team.
The difference here is that Brown is making a very specific claim of extortion. So, a third approach would be for the team to make an (admittedly imperfect) assessment of both the rape claims and the extortion claims, and then make a decision based on that assessment. Dallas Mavericks didn't lose anything by keeping Porzingis on the team.Assessing the situation purely as a Patriots fan, without regard to the morality of the issue, I see there being two general courses of action:
1.) Let the matter get resolved in the courts by the appropriate authorities. Brown is innocent until proven guilty, and it’s not right to punish him purely based on an unsubstantiated accusation.
2.) Preemptively decide that keep Brown is not worth the risk of protecting and paying millions of dollars to an individual against whom serious charges have been made, specifically in the realm of sexual assault which is especially pernicious and highly charged.
I hate to say it, but I’d go with #2. It’s just not worth the risk. I understand that opens all kinds of dangerous Pandora’s boxes, but as a fan, I don’t want that hanging over my favorite team.
The alleged rape occurred in May 2018, sixteen months ago. It is highly unlikely that there was a contemporaneous police report — we would have heard about it long before now. She could still go to the police now, but there obviously is going to be no forensic evidence in a typical he-said/she-said situation. That alone kills any realistic possibility of a criminal prosecution.I don’t think he was making any assumptions, but rather just wondering about it from a legal perspective
This is a good post.Are you for real?
Let’s hope you never have to learn the hard way that people — including women people — lie and make shit up all the time.
I’m not claiming that this woman is a liar or AB is not a rapist. I don’t know whether either is true.
But those kind of blanket statements are ridiculous.
Maybe you’re going for parody there and I’m just missing it.
My guess is that the Pats, having signed Brown and traded Thomas, are not going to act rashly and will let things play out.
I get the “avoid the circus” reaction but in light of the owner and starting safety having been accused of crimes, and both not having been suspended or disciplined in any way by the NFL or the team, I believe the Pats will again allow the legal system to run its course before taking action.
After all, we don’t live in a country where our legal system takes as true in knee jerk fashion every accusation that is made by anyone, regardless of their sex.
That multiple murder was almost immediately released upon being arrested and accused. Long before trial and conviction. There is precedent for the team to not wait for the legal process to reach a conclusion.We had a multiple murderer on the team.
And I have no idea how professional athletes think, but I would imagine a greater than 0% of them have been accused of things before and won't necessarily abandon a teammate/fellow player just based on accusations.
The two situations are not remotely comparable.That multiple murder was almost immediately released upon being arrested and accused. Long before trial and conviction. There is precedent for the team to not wait for the legal process to reach a conclusion.
Weren’t there rumblings of some of the gang related activity Hernandez was involved in before the latest murders? And wasn’t he acting out and threatening people in the locker room?That multiple murder was almost immediately released upon being arrested and accused. Long before trial and conviction. There is precedent for the team to not wait for the legal process to reach a conclusion.
That seems important. Brown's attorney could have just denied the claims and it would have been a he said/she said thing with AB pointing to the fact that she still contacted him after some of the behavior that she's now suing him for. Instead the attorney has given dates and specific amounts of money, etc. You would assume that any lawyer worth his salt would have some documentation for those things.The difference here is that Brown is making a very specific claim of extortion.
That was a criminal case in which the allegations were not only extremely serious but also highly credible. This is a civil case, which is also being countered by claims of extortion. The situations are very different.That multiple murder was almost immediately released upon being arrested and accused. Long before trial and conviction. There is precedent for the team to not wait for the legal process to reach a conclusion.
The point is that they are not obligated to wait for the legal process to play out, civil or criminal, to decide they want to cut the player. Obviously the charges are very different.The two situations are not remotely comparable.
Not shocking. Dude is friends with 45. We have a rapist in the white house so why would he care about what AB Haynesworth or anyone else did?Yeah, that’s disappointing.
Yes. But you were talking about something "hanging over the team". So my point was, releasing him or not, they had a murderer on the team. Just releasing him didn't immediately make everyone not ask the Patriots questions over and over ABOUT THE MURDERER ON THE TEAM.The point is that they are not obligated to wait for the legal process to play out, civil or criminal, to decide they want to cut the player. Obviously the charges are very different.
It didn't stop it altogether, but I think the scrutiny would have been many times worse had they actually kept him on the team.Yes. But you were talking about something "hanging over the team". So my point was, releasing him or not, they had a murderer on the team. Just releasing him didn't immediately make everyone not ask the Patriots questions over and over ABOUT THE MURDERER ON THE TEAM.
That could open up a can of worms. Michael Avenatti is excited.I mean come on, exempt list for a civil accusation wtf.
Hernandez was drafted, developed, played 3 seasons, and signed to a lucrative contract extension by the Patriots. AB has been there for about 5 minutes. Not remotely similar to the kind of scrutiny they faced back then. This is a non story, from a patriots standpoint, within a few days if they release him.Yes. But you were talking about something "hanging over the team". So my point was, releasing him or not, they had a murderer on the team. Just releasing him didn't immediately make everyone not ask the Patriots questions over and over ABOUT THE MURDERER ON THE TEAM.
Not a lawyer, so could someone enlighten? Spoliation? Witness or evidence tampering?That could open up a can of worms. Michael Avenatti is excited.
Giving women the benefit of doubt =/= assuming guilt. I don't want to live in that world.Not shocking. Dude is friends with 45. We have a rapist in the white house so why would he care about what AB Haynesworth or anyone else did?
She's willing to cooperate from all accounts so...yeah I'm not sure how many guilty women do that. Once again its time to give all women the benefit of the doubt. He could possibly be innocent sure...but you have to assume guilt for now.
It's NEVER a non-story if it's the Patriots. However, if they cut him, I hope you're right.This is a non story, from a patriots standpoint, within a few days if they release him.
I was referring to the fact that the act of suing someone can potentially get someone removed from a roster. Then made a Michael Avenatti joke because fuck that guy.Not a lawyer, so could someone enlighten? Spoliation? Witness or evidence tampering?
If that happens, it seems to me like it would be the league's way of punishing for other past behavior, at least in part. Tell me Drew Brees would be put on the exempt list for this.I mean come on, exempt list for a civil accusation wtf.
He peddled wild gang rape accusations against Justice Kavanaugh. He has since been criminally charged for unrelated frauds.Not a lawyer, so could someone enlighten? Spoliation? Witness or evidence tampering?
If Schefter got a comment from a team source tonight, then I would assume a decision will be made tonight. I think we either wake up to see a push notification on our phones that the cut him, or they're going to ride this out.If he’s cut tomorrow, will he get a ring?
I’m pretty damn liberal, but assuming guilt is a terrible, un-American thing to do. Every claim should be (a) taken seriously, (b) investigated fully, and (c) see the perpetrator punished severely if there is guilt.Not shocking. Dude is friends with 45. We have a rapist in the white house so why would he care about what AB Haynesworth or anyone else did?
She's willing to cooperate from all accounts so...yeah I'm not sure how many guilty women do that. Once again its time to give all women the benefit of the doubt. He could possibly be innocent sure...but you have to assume guilt for now.
Likely, in most jurisdictions. I remember a case in NY or Jersey maybe where a man ejaculated into a co-worker’s coffee and got a pretty long sentence (deservedly so).Isn’t ejaculating on a woman without her knowledge or consent sexual assault?
Yup. This will be settled quickly with respect to his standing on the team. If the Patriots were, indeed, caught by surprise, they are likely deliberating as we speak. I think we’ll know before lunch tomorrow what the team is doing.If Schefter got a comment from a team source tonight, then I would assume a decision will be made tonight. I think we either wake up to see a push notification on our phones that the cut him, or they're going to ride this out.