Domestic violence charges against back Ray Rice were expected to be dismissed Thursday by an Atlantic City judge, who determined that the former Baltimore Ravens running back had completed a pretrial intervention program.
Rice entered a not-guilty plea to charges of knocking out his now-wife in a casino in February 2014 in exchange for entering the program, which is typically used in New Jersey for first offenses “when such services can reasonably be expected to deter future criminal behavior.” However, ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” noted that diversionary programs are usually applied in victimless crimes.
Judge Michael Donio confirmed to ABC News that he would sign the dismissal order Thursday.
Rice was accepted into the program, which runs for a minimum of one year, last May and successfully completing it means that the third-degree charge of aggravated assault would be dismissed. The arrest would, however, remain on his record, minus the conviction.
“This decision was arrived at after careful consideration of the information contained in Mr. Rice’s application in light of all the facts gathered during the investigation,” prosecutor Jim McClain said a year ago. “After considering all relevant information in light of applicable law it was determined that this was the appropriate disposition.”
Rice was initially suspended for two games by the NFL, prompting an uproar after video of the knockout punch was posted by TMZ. Rice was cut by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL. However, that suspension was overturned on appeal and Rice, 28, has been free to play again. He has remained unsigned.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...ges-against-ray-rice-to-be-dismissed/?hpid=z4
Rice entered a not-guilty plea to charges of knocking out his now-wife in a casino in February 2014 in exchange for entering the program, which is typically used in New Jersey for first offenses “when such services can reasonably be expected to deter future criminal behavior.” However, ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” noted that diversionary programs are usually applied in victimless crimes.
Judge Michael Donio confirmed to ABC News that he would sign the dismissal order Thursday.
Rice was accepted into the program, which runs for a minimum of one year, last May and successfully completing it means that the third-degree charge of aggravated assault would be dismissed. The arrest would, however, remain on his record, minus the conviction.
“This decision was arrived at after careful consideration of the information contained in Mr. Rice’s application in light of all the facts gathered during the investigation,” prosecutor Jim McClain said a year ago. “After considering all relevant information in light of applicable law it was determined that this was the appropriate disposition.”
Rice was initially suspended for two games by the NFL, prompting an uproar after video of the knockout punch was posted by TMZ. Rice was cut by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL. However, that suspension was overturned on appeal and Rice, 28, has been free to play again. He has remained unsigned.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...ges-against-ray-rice-to-be-dismissed/?hpid=z4
