According to several published reports, indicted Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice married his fiancée and daughter’s mother, Janay Palmer, on Friday. This is just a day after Rice was indicted for third degree aggravated assault after surveillance video taken in Atlantic City shows him dragging an unconscious Palmer out of a casino elevator.
It’s alleged that Rice knocked Palmer unconscious. Palmer was charged with simple assault but those charges were dismissed. According to Rice’s lawyer, Michael Diamondstein, the video does not tell the whole story.
“I have been advised by the prosecutor’s office that an indictment has been returned,” Diamondstein told ESPN. “And again, we deny that he committed an aggravated assault. We don’t think the law would support that [he did]. And we just ask the public to reserve judgment until all of the facts are out.”
The Ravens have stuck by Rice, 27 who just signed a five-year, $35 million dollar deal in 2012. Owner Steve Bisciotti says Rice will remain with the team.
After the indictiment, Ravens issued a statement that said, “This is part of the due process for Ray. We know there is more to Ray Rice than this one incident.” Diamondstein told Press Of Alantic City that neither party wants to pursue charges. “We vehemently deny that Mr. Rice committed an aggravated assault,” told the paper. “Both Mr. Rice and Miss Palmer are together, they are happy and they’re in counseling.”
The marriage was planned for weeks, sources say. A legal expert quoted by ESPN.com says that now that the couple is married, Palmer cannot be forced to testify against Rice, due to spousal privilege.
However, the video tape may be all a jury needs to come to their own conclusion in the case, though the footage that has surfaced to date does not show Rice striking Palmer.
(Photo: Janay Palmer Instagram)
