(Updated: 4:05 p.m.)
With an Atlantic City police report stating there was surveillance video of the alleged physical altercation between Ravens running back Ray Rice and his fiancée, it seemed to only be a matter of time before some footage would surface of the incident that resulted in both being charged with simple assault last weekend.
A video released by TMZ Wednesday morning shows a man the publication claims to be Rice dragging an unconscious woman out of an elevator before another man in a suit approaches him and appears to speak into a security microphone. A few moments later, the man alleged to be Rice appears to walk away from the woman as she regains consciousness.
Rice’s attorney Michael Diamondstein offered the following comments to TMZ in response to the video being released and doesn’t dispute Rice and Janay Palmer being the individuals in the video:
“The video that’s being posted by TMZ Sports is not the complete event, but is merely the end result of what transpired. We’ll assure the public that when this matter is fully tried and completed, you’ll have a better understanding of what happened and we ask the public to reserve making any judgment until all of the facts come out.”
The Atlantic City police revealed Wednesday afternoon that they have referred the case to the county prosecutor’s office “to ensure all appropriate charges are considered.”
The court summons obtained by WJZ-TV and FOX 45 on Wednesday afternoon states that Rice struck her with his hand, “rendering her unconscious.”
Many will draw their own conclusions based on what’s seen on the video, but it’s important to acknowledge that the alleged physical altercation is not shown and the footage doesn’t tell how she lost consciousness. However, there’s no sugarcoating how ugly the aftermath is for the 27-year-old running back after police said both parties struck each other with their hands before what was captured on the video.
A team official had no further comment to WNST.net about the released video as the Ravens continue to stand behind their initial statement regarding the altercation.
Head coach John Harbaugh spoke to Rice on Monday about the incident while general manager Ozzie Newsome had yet to speak to the 2008 second-round pick when he addressed the media to announce a contract extension for linebacker Terrell Suggs on Monday afternoon.
“I don’t know the situation. I’ve only gotten what has been written,” Newsome said. “I’ve not had a chance to talk to Ray; I have not had a chance to talk to [director of security Darren Sanders]. I really don’t know the situation and up until I get all the answers, then that’s when we make decisions within this organization once we get all the information we can get.”
Even if Rice is not convicted of any wrongdoing, he will still be subject to potential league discipline through the personal-conduct policy. In the past, commissioner Roger Goodell hasn’t shied away from suspending players who run afoul of the law or simply paint the league in a negative light.
