Roethlisberger Accused of Sexual Assault Again (1 Viewer)

[CalBear]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

I don't see any lifetime ban, regardless of the outcome. Get religion in jail, have a Barbara Walters heart to heart, and wait for a team who's desperate for a QB. Vick is back in uniform and he's not even very good.

 

[phthalatemagic]

What was Big Ben doing in Midgeville??

Wraping women.

 

[Mile High]

What was Big Ben doing in Midgeville??

Somewhere in here. He owns lakefront property about 30 miles away.

 

[ScottyFargo]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

I don't see any lifetime ban, regardless of the outcome. Get religion in jail, have a Barbara Walters heart to heart, and wait for a team who's desperate for a QB. Vick is back in uniform and he's not even very good.

Jail only makes criminals better criminals. Ben goes to jail, and he'll experience every day new ways to hone his craft, first hand.

 

[Yenrub]

If the police ask for a DNA sample and Ben refuses to give one, do they (the police) have enough to charge him?

 

[golfguy]

so is this shark move here to try and pick him up in leagues on the cheap then?

 

[E_Smith]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

I don't see any lifetime ban, regardless of the outcome. Get religion in jail, have a Barbara Walters heart to heart, and wait for a team who's desperate for a QB. Vick is back in uniform and he's not even very good.

Even if he's charged I think there is a good chance it never goes to trial with his lawyers who are the best--the victim will agree to a plea bargain, perhaps take some $ in the civil case, and Ben gets a misdemeanor and probation. No suspension, no lost playing time.

 

[Peggy Starfish]

If the police ask for a DNA sample and Ben refuses to give one, do they (the police) have enough to charge him?

That's pretty much the question, right?I do know that in many states, and especially in domestic cases, if the female has physical injuries then they'll arrest and charge.

 

[E_Smith]

If the police ask for a DNA sample and Ben refuses to give one, do they (the police) have enough to charge him?

No, he has no obligation to give a DNA sample. But they likely already have enough to charge him if they want to (its the DA's decision not the police). If they charge, then he has to give a DNA sample. So they could charge him to force the DNA sample.

 

[B-Deep]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

I don't see any lifetime ban, regardless of the outcome. Get religion in jail, have a Barbara Walters heart to heart, and wait for a team who's desperate for a QB. Vick is back in uniform and he's not even very good.

Even if he's charged I think there is a good chance it never goes to trial with his lawyers who are the best--the victim will agree to a plea bargain, perhaps take some $ in the civil case, and Ben gets a misdemeanor and probation. No suspension, no lost playing time.

you have absolutely no basis on which to guess this

 

[Cassius]

I know that there is almost 0% chance that B.R. is the victim in this scenario

No, you don't.

 

[Avery]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

I don't see any lifetime ban, regardless of the outcome. Get religion in jail, have a Barbara Walters heart to heart, and wait for a team who's desperate for a QB. Vick is back in uniform and he's not even very good.

Even if he's charged I think there is a good chance it never goes to trial with his lawyers who are the best--the victim will agree to a plea bargain, perhaps take some $ in the civil case, and Ben gets a misdemeanor and probation. No suspension, no lost playing time.

you have absolutely no basis on which to guess this

99% of this thread is baseless prediction. Why single one out?

 

[E_Smith]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

I don't see any lifetime ban, regardless of the outcome. Get religion in jail, have a Barbara Walters heart to heart, and wait for a team who's desperate for a QB. Vick is back in uniform and he's not even very good.

Even if he's charged I think there is a good chance it never goes to trial with his lawyers who are the best--the victim will agree to a plea bargain, perhaps take some $ in the civil case, and Ben gets a misdemeanor and probation. No suspension, no lost playing time.

you have absolutely no basis on which to guess this

I don't have the facts that is true. But I do know this sounds like a he-said/she-said case, alcohol likely involved, and a head injury to the alleged victim. Very hard to prove in the absence of some compelling forensic evidence. If the hospital examination does not come back with evidence of forced penetration, then a plea-bargain becomes more likely. Often in sex crime cases plea bargains are driven by the wishes of the victim...and if his lawyers communicate to her lawyers that a plea bargain will magically result in a $1 million dollar settlement of the civil case, her wishes may suddenly turn to "wanting to put this behind her and get back to school". Result: misdemeanor assault, probation, maybe some community service. Whether the Steelers would suspend him on that scenario I don't know, but I doubt they would suspend him for long. Obviously this is all speculation, that is why I said it was a "good chance."

 

[B-Deep]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

I don't see any lifetime ban, regardless of the outcome. Get religion in jail, have a Barbara Walters heart to heart, and wait for a team who's desperate for a QB. Vick is back in uniform and he's not even very good.

Even if he's charged I think there is a good chance it never goes to trial with his lawyers who are the best--the victim will agree to a plea bargain, perhaps take some $ in the civil case, and Ben gets a misdemeanor and probation. No suspension, no lost playing time.

you have absolutely no basis on which to guess this

99% of this thread is baseless prediction. Why single one out?

i've been saying it over and overust decided to address one specific example

 

[B-Deep]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

I don't see any lifetime ban, regardless of the outcome. Get religion in jail, have a Barbara Walters heart to heart, and wait for a team who's desperate for a QB. Vick is back in uniform and he's not even very good.

Even if he's charged I think there is a good chance it never goes to trial with his lawyers who are the best--the victim will agree to a plea bargain, perhaps take some $ in the civil case, and Ben gets a misdemeanor and probation. No suspension, no lost playing time.

you have absolutely no basis on which to guess this

I don't have the facts that is true. But I do know this sounds like a he-said/she-said case, alcohol likely involved, and a head injury to the alleged victim. Very hard to prove in the absence of some compelling forensic evidence. If the hospital examination does not come back with evidence of forced penetration, then a plea-bargain becomes more likely. Often in sex crime cases plea bargains are driven by the wishes of the victim...and if his lawyers communicate to her lawyers that a plea bargain will magically result in a $1 million dollar settlement of the civil case, her wishes may suddenly turn to "wanting to put this behind her and get back to school". Result: misdemeanor assault, probation, maybe some community service. Whether the Steelers would suspend him on that scenario I don't know, but I doubt they would suspend him for long. Obviously this is all speculation, that is why I said it was a "good chance."

there may be forensic evidencethere may be witnessesyou don't knowyou also don't know if she can be bought off, you don't know her wishes, and you don't know what the DA down there is and is not likely to do as far as pleaing this outother than that you may have a point(sarcasm)

 

[E_Smith]

I don't have the facts that is true. But I do know this sounds like a he-said/she-said case, alcohol likely involved, and a head injury to the alleged victim. Very hard to prove in the absence of some compelling forensic evidence. If the hospital examination does not come back with evidence of forced penetration, then a plea-bargain becomes more likely. Often in sex crime cases plea bargains are driven by the wishes of the victim...and if his lawyers communicate to her lawyers that a plea bargain will magically result in a $1 million dollar settlement of the civil case, her wishes may suddenly turn to "wanting to put this behind her and get back to school". Result: misdemeanor assault, probation, maybe some community service. Whether the Steelers would suspend him on that scenario I don't know, but I doubt they would suspend him for long.

Obviously this is all speculation, that is why I said it was a "good chance."

there may be forensic evidence

there may be witnesses

you don't know

you also don't know if she can be bought off, you don't know her wishes, and you don't know what the DA down there is and is not likely to do as far as pleaing this out

other than that you may have a point

(sarcasm)

your post made total sense until the part where you added the sarcasm in parenthesis. its called speculation; thats all we can do now. find the thread marked "crystal ball reveals the future of the Roethlisberger case" if you want certainty.

 

[Godsbrother]

you also don't know if she can be bought off, you don't know her wishes, and you don't know what the DA down there is and is not likely to do as far as pleaing this out

The fact that she retained the services of a lawyer the very next day seems to indicate to me that she will be looking for some form of compensation regardless if this goes to trial or not. I am not saying this is wrong or suggesting that she is a golddigger or that she wasn't a victim of a violent crime but there is no doubt in my mind that is why she has a lawyer.

 

[DawgPoundNJ]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

I don't see any lifetime ban, regardless of the outcome. Get religion in jail, have a Barbara Walters heart to heart, and wait for a team who's desperate for a QB. Vick is back in uniform and he's not even very good.

Even if he's charged I think there is a good chance it never goes to trial with his lawyers who are the best--the victim will agree to a plea bargain, perhaps take some $ in the civil case, and Ben gets a misdemeanor and probation. No suspension, no lost playing time.

If he's charged and pleas to a lesser crime or no lo contendre, he is still subject to disciplinary action from the league. See Jones, Pacman.

 

[ScottyFargo]

you also don't know if she can be bought off, you don't know her wishes, and you don't know what the DA down there is and is not likely to do as far as pleaing this out

The fact that she retained the services of a lawyer the very next day seems to indicate to me that she will be looking for some form of compensation regardless if this goes to trial or not. I am not saying this is wrong or suggesting that she is a golddigger or that she wasn't a victim of a violent crime but there is no doubt in my mind that is why she has a lawyer.

What about attaining legal council in attempt to make sure that she has the ability to respond to the inevitable assault B.R.'s lawyers will levy at her character during the course of the criminal trial?Additionally, I want to ask people what their thoughts are on the consequences should B.R. not be charged (or found not guilty) but reaches an agreement in a civil trial? Giving up money doesn't equal guilt, but certainly doesn't look good. Didn't hurt Kobe too badly, though.

 

[E_Smith]

you also don't know if she can be bought off, you don't know her wishes, and you don't know what the DA down there is and is not likely to do as far as pleaing this out

The fact that she retained the services of a lawyer the very next day seems to indicate to me that she will be looking for some form of compensation regardless if this goes to trial or not. I am not saying this is wrong or suggesting that she is a golddigger or that she wasn't a victim of a violent crime but there is no doubt in my mind that is why she has a lawyer.

Agreed. a prosecutor is perfectly capable of giving necessary advice to the victim. retaining a lawyer suggests a civil case filed for $ damages.Also, if the alleged victim doesn't want to go forward with a trial, there isn't much a prosecutor can do about it, and has little choice but to plead the case out (assuming there are no other eye witnesses to the crime).

 

[Godsbrother]

Additionally, I want to ask people what their thoughts are on the consequences should B.R. not be charged (or found not guilty) but reaches an agreement in a civil trial? Giving up money doesn't equal guilt, but certainly doesn't look good. Didn't hurt Kobe too badly, though.

I think he will face a minimal suspension from the Steelers and/or the league. No more than 4 games I bet...Really if he is going to buy his way out of this he is better off trying to do it before he is formally charged.

 

[E_Smith]

Additionally, I want to ask people what their thoughts are on the consequences should B.R. not be charged (or found not guilty) but reaches an agreement in a civil trial? Giving up money doesn't equal guilt, but certainly doesn't look good. Didn't hurt Kobe too badly, though.

I think he will face a minimal suspension from the Steelers and/or the league. No more than 4 games I bet...Really if he is going to buy his way out of this he is better off trying to do it before he is formally charged.

I just don't see how he can buy his way out before the charge comes down. He isn't going to buy her into recanting the accusation (which is illegal-obstruction of justice), although I guess its possible...but his lawyers I don't believe would attempt this. Generally the civil is treated separate from the criminal case, but I think a civil settlement could influence the criminal case in terms of the victim's wishes.

 

[CrossEyed]

If the police ask for a DNA sample and Ben refuses to give one, do they (the police) have enough to charge him?

If there is enough other evidence, can't they get a court order for his DNA?

 

[azcrook58]

If Big Ben was accused of groping a 46 year old trucker with a beer gut and a speech impediment, would anyone care?

It might provide us with better jokes.

 

[E_Smith]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

If guilty, it will depend on what Big Ben did, but odds are he will probably not be banned for life. That's generally reserved for baby killing ( Rae Carruth) and gambling (Pete Rose) People are arguing over Big Ben's guilt or innocence as if it matters. He's "guilty" in the eyes of the general public. If he did it, he's guilty, if he didn't do it but is accused anyway, he's guilty. Consider this, if you came to your job today and a female coworker accused you of sexually harassing her, would it matter if you did it or not? The grapevine would shake and word would pass and people would gossip and no one would ever look at you the same way again. Even if you were later vindicated, even if the woman came out later and said it was all a lie, no one would look at you the same way again. Big Ben is guilty of a crime if he's actually guilty. Then alternatively, if he's innocent, then he's guilty first and foremost for being a man accused by a woman in this society, this matters first, even more so to start than his celebrity/fame. The younger she is, the prettier she is, the whiter she is, the more guilty he becomes, true or not. If Big Ben was accused of groping a 46 year old trucker with a beer gut and a speech impediment, would anyone care? If Big Ben is found guilty and convicted, several things will probably happen1) The Steelers will not immediately cut him. There may be cap implications and in some strange way down the road, he might have actual trade value. The Rooneys aren't crazy, they will use what power they have within the NFL as a legacy family and influence with major sponsors and media outlets to try to control the spin on this. 2) The real game is TIME. Over enough TIME, people forget, maybe they don't forgive, but they forget and move on to the next sensational scandal in the NFL or pro sports. Does anyone talk about Sprewell choking his coach anymore? Hugh Grant with that hooker? Dave Stewart with the tranny? While TIME is a killer for many skill positions, many QBs are viable in their later years. It's not like Big Ben is a running back who is 28 years old. 3) The Steelers, if they don't already, will have to start hiring more females into their front office and general staff. They will need to appease lobbyist feminist groups who will threaten to carpetbomb their sponsors/the NFL if they don't ( Call Al Davis senile and past his prime if you wish, but the CryptKeeper isn't completely stupid, when Tom Cables previous domestic violence issue came to light, he ALREADY HAD Amy Trask in his front office. It controlled the spin the leverage that could be used against him. 4) If Goodell has to hammer down on Big Ben, the punishment will have to exceed Vicks. Unless every GM, coach and owner wants to come home to their wives and hear this " So we are worth less than a dog? WE ARE WORTH LESS THAN A DOG?" There is also the race issue, Goodell will not want the perception that white players are given different punishment than black players ( Chase Stuart and Jason Whitlock and Phil "That's Not The Kobe I Know!" Taylor could easily hammer out 492 articles between them on that one if it happened.) Given the same crime, Goodell will almost always be forced to give a white player more harsh punishment over a black player ( I am not specifically comparing Big Bens issue with Vicks) What no one wants to mention is that Midgesville or whatever this place is, is not a major city, it's not New York, it's not San Francisco, it's not Miami. The officials there, the DA, the law enforcement people, the local politicians all now have instant juice. ( Did you know who Charles Moose was 30 years ago? Do you think you can Google him now and find out everything you want to know after the Beltway Sniper?) This is a way for individuals there to try to gain more power, more influence, more standing, more status to see Big Ben go down. They aren't just going to give that up. They are also outside of the reach of the Rooney's power base. What else no one wants to mention is Big Ben looks like an ogre. There I said it. In the eyes of public opinion, how you looks matters. In court, how you look matters. If a good looking charismatic guy like Tom Brady or Derek Jeter was in this situation, a jury or a judge might react differently. We are all human. Good looking people get treated better than ugly people in general. They are often given the benefit of the doubt more often. We are judged not just by what we do, but what we look like we might do. If Frankie Muniz was accused of fondling a 10 year old and then Christopher Walken was accused of the same thing, which one looks creepy enough to might actually do it to the average jury? Something else no one wants to mention is Big Ben is - Probably not gay- Not Jewish as far I know- Not African American- Not a womanStandard media spin protections in place for these groups will not apply to him. Face facts, we read what the media will give us and what the media will give us is dependent on variables that will either make them money or cost them money. If Big Ben was gay and was accused by a man, this is a different story ( i.e. "you must think Big Ben is guilty because you hate gays" In fact if Big Ben came out today and said he was gay and brought out 10 of his former male gay lovers and said he only slept with women because he felt persecuted by straight America, even if it was totally fabricated, this would be an entirely different ball game media wise. ) He will take this publicly with full force. He is a straight below average looking white guy heading towards middle age, the one category in this country, besides Asians, that almost universally has no protections against the media assault whether he's guilty or not. In this instance, his fame will work against him, as the average person tends to resent celebrity ( we love them on the way up as the underdog, we love tearing them down once they hit the top, that's how our society works with celebrity) I don't know what happened. You don't know what happened. In the end, that everyone is talking about it means Big Ben is "guilty" in the eyes of the public no matter what really happened. No one will ever look at him the same way again.

I have to disagree with some of your points. Ben may be below average looking, but that is easily trumped by wealth and fame in our society. His lawyers can attack the victims character and if they succeed, and can paint Ben as the victim, then I think he could still get a pass from "society." I think the fact that he is a successful, white, star QB works far more in his favor than if he were a black quarterback. Imagine if this were any black player accused of assaulting a white college girl in a southern town!! Hmmm, I think I'll take being white in exchange for no favorable minority PC media spin if I'm Big Ben.

 

[Couch Potato]

What else no one wants to mention is Big Ben looks like an ogre. There I said it.

GordonGekko, always thinking outside the box.

 

[Unwrittenlaw]

If he is charged then Ben is screwed. He'll almost certainly be suspended and if found guilty be cut by the Steelers and possibly face a lifetime ban from the NFL.

If guilty, it will depend on what Big Ben did, but odds are he will probably not be banned for life. That's generally reserved for baby killing ( Rae Carruth) and gambling (Pete Rose) People are arguing over Big Ben's guilt or innocence as if it matters. He's "guilty" in the eyes of the general public. If he did it, he's guilty, if he didn't do it but is accused anyway, he's guilty. Consider this, if you came to your job today and a female coworker accused you of sexually harassing her, would it matter if you did it or not? The grapevine would shake and word would pass and people would gossip and no one would ever look at you the same way again. Even if you were later vindicated, even if the woman came out later and said it was all a lie, no one would look at you the same way again. Big Ben is guilty of a crime if he's actually guilty. Then alternatively, if he's innocent, then he's guilty first and foremost for being a man accused by a woman in this society, this matters first, even more so to start than his celebrity/fame. The younger she is, the prettier she is, the whiter she is, the more guilty he becomes, true or not. If Big Ben was accused of groping a 46 year old trucker with a beer gut and a speech impediment, would anyone care? If Big Ben is found guilty and convicted, several things will probably happen1) The Steelers will not immediately cut him. There may be cap implications and in some strange way down the road, he might have actual trade value. The Rooneys aren't crazy, they will use what power they have within the NFL as a legacy family and influence with major sponsors and media outlets to try to control the spin on this. 2) The real game is TIME. Over enough TIME, people forget, maybe they don't forgive, but they forget and move on to the next sensational scandal in the NFL or pro sports. Does anyone talk about Sprewell choking his coach anymore? Hugh Grant with that hooker? Dave Stewart with the tranny? While TIME is a killer for many skill positions, many QBs are viable in their later years. It's not like Big Ben is a running back who is 28 years old. 3) The Steelers, if they don't already, will have to start hiring more females into their front office and general staff. They will need to appease lobbyist feminist groups who will threaten to carpetbomb their sponsors/the NFL if they don't ( Call Al Davis senile and past his prime if you wish, but the CryptKeeper isn't completely stupid, when Tom Cables previous domestic violence issue came to light, he ALREADY HAD Amy Trask in his front office. It controlled the spin the leverage that could be used against him. 4) If Goodell has to hammer down on Big Ben, the punishment will have to exceed Vicks. Unless every GM, coach and owner wants to come home to their wives and hear this " So we are worth less than a dog? WE ARE WORTH LESS THAN A DOG?" There is also the race issue, Goodell will not want the perception that white players are given different punishment than black players ( Chase Stuart and Jason Whitlock and Phil "That's Not The Kobe I Know!" Taylor could easily hammer out 492 articles between them on that one if it happened.) Given the same crime, Goodell will almost always be forced to give a white player more harsh punishment over a black player ( I am not specifically comparing Big Bens issue with Vicks) What no one wants to mention is that Midgesville or whatever this place is, is not a major city, it's not New York, it's not San Francisco, it's not Miami. The officials there, the DA, the law enforcement people, the local politicians all now have instant juice. ( Did you know who Charles Moose was 30 years ago? Do you think you can Google him now and find out everything you want to know after the Beltway Sniper?) This is a way for individuals there to try to gain more power, more influence, more standing, more status to see Big Ben go down. They aren't just going to give that up. They are also outside of the reach of the Rooney's power base. What else no one wants to mention is Big Ben looks like an ogre. There I said it. In the eyes of public opinion, how you looks matters. In court, how you look matters. If a good looking charismatic guy like Tom Brady or Derek Jeter was in this situation, a jury or a judge might react differently. We are all human. Good looking people get treated better than ugly people in general. They are often given the benefit of the doubt more often. We are judged not just by what we do, but what we look like we might do. If Frankie Muniz was accused of fondling a 10 year old and then Christopher Walken was accused of the same thing, which one looks creepy enough to might actually do it to the average jury? Something else no one wants to mention is Big Ben is - Probably not gay- Not Jewish as far I know- Not African American- Not a womanStandard media spin protections in place for these groups will not apply to him. Face facts, we read what the media will give us and what the media will give us is dependent on variables that will either make them money or cost them money. If Big Ben was gay and was accused by a man, this is a different story ( i.e. "you must think Big Ben is guilty because you hate gays" In fact if Big Ben came out today and said he was gay and brought out 10 of his former male gay lovers and said he only slept with women because he felt persecuted by straight America, even if it was totally fabricated, this would be an entirely different ball game media wise. ) He will take this publicly with full force. He is a straight below average looking white guy heading towards middle age, the one category in this country, besides Asians, that almost universally has no protections against the media assault whether he's guilty or not. In this instance, his fame will work against him, as the average person tends to resent celebrity ( we love them on the way up as the underdog, we love tearing them down once they hit the top, that's how our society works with celebrity) I don't know what happened. You don't know what happened. In the end, that everyone is talking about it means Big Ben is "guilty" in the eyes of the public no matter what really happened. No one will ever look at him the same way again.

I have to disagree with some of your points. Ben may be below average looking, but that is easily trumped by wealth and fame in our society. His lawyers can attack the victims character and if they succeed, and can paint Ben as the victim, then I think he could still get a pass from "society." I think the fact that he is a successful, white, star QB works far more in his favor than if he were a black quarterback. Imagine if this were any black player accused of assaulting a white college girl in a southern town!! Hmmm, I think I'll take being white in exchange for no favorable minority PC media spin if I'm Big Ben.

Take a look at the jury pool that will be deciding the case if he's tried. They're not all rich like him so they won't really care.That site that treat88 posted makes a really good point. Btw, the population in the county is 54 percent white, 46 percent black.

 

[E_Smith]

Take a look at the jury pool that will be deciding the case if he's tried. They're not all rich like him so they won't really care.

No but they will be smart enough to see that Ben is a potential target, so in this sense his wealth and fame may work in his favor. And, notwithstanding Gordon's analysis, I take it back, maybe race won't be a factor with the jury. But I don't think him being white is a disadvantage in terms of public opinion.

 

[Christo]

you also don't know if she can be bought off, you don't know her wishes, and you don't know what the DA down there is and is not likely to do as far as pleaing this out

The fact that she retained the services of a lawyer the very next day seems to indicate to me that she will be looking for some form of compensation regardless if this goes to trial or not. I am not saying this is wrong or suggesting that she is a golddigger or that she wasn't a victim of a violent crime but there is no doubt in my mind that is why she has a lawyer.

That's one reason. But everyone in this day and age knows if you're going to take on someone with the resources at Ben's disposal you better have people advising you as well.

 

[Unwrittenlaw]

Amber Hanley, a 21-year-old college student, said she and a few friends were also in the VIP area with Roethlisberger. She said she asked the quarterback to take a photo with her friend, who was a fan, but he seemed disappointed that's all she wanted. Hanley said she rolled her eyes, and Roethlisberger called her an expletive and walked away. Later, Roethlisberger was aggressively hitting on another girl, Hanley said.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7000145...sault.html?pg=2

 

[Dexter Manley]

If the police ask for a DNA sample and Ben refuses to give one, do they (the police) have enough to charge him?

If there is enough other evidence, can't they get a court order for his DNA?

Yes.

 

[E_Smith]

If the police ask for a DNA sample and Ben refuses to give one, do they (the police) have enough to charge him?

If there is enough other evidence, can't they get a court order for his DNA?

Yes.

I could be wrong on this but I think he has to be charged before they can force him to submit DNA evidence. I think you have to arrest and "seize" the person before you can force them to give you bodily fluids.

 

[Stealthycat]

when you're an NFL star you don't have to hit on women aggressively ........

but c'mon Ben, you've got to learn to have a bodyguard with you at ALL times - had his wingman been there to witness it all, this whole thing would be a non-issue, but as it is, its he said, she said

 

[5-ish Finkle]

What I've taken from the last 8 pages of this thread:

GordonGekko, apparently, thinks that Derek Jeter and Tom Brady are hot.

That is all.

 

[Carver]

Am I being overly dramatic in stating that the Steelers franchise and their two most recent Super Bowls are currently on the verge of being completely disgraced

What the Patriots did was cheat at a game. It has been argued by objective football people that the taping brought little value

Oh, lord this is rich.

I'm not here to excuse Roeth but to see a Pats fan bring that to the table is a joke.

Any attempts to defend Spygate is unacceptable. What the Patriots did was inexcusable and their run in the 2000s is forever tainted.

I love how some Pats fans try to parlay every single bad thing that happens to another team or player into some sort of twisted exoneration for Spygate.

 

[fatness]

you also don't know if she can be bought off, you don't know her wishes, and you don't know what the DA down there is and is not likely to do as far as pleaing this out

The fact that she retained the services of a lawyer the very next day seems to indicate to me that she will be looking for some form of compensation regardless if this goes to trial or not. I am not saying this is wrong or suggesting that she is a golddigger or that she wasn't a victim of a violent crime but there is no doubt in my mind that is why she has a lawyer.

That's one reason. But everyone in this day and age knows if you're going to take on someone with the resources at Ben's disposal you better have people advising you as well.

Exactly. Assuming there actually is a criminal case, every attempt will be made by the defense to dirty up the reputation of the accuser before and during the trial.

 

[fatness]

To date, there is no evidence that any sort of penetration took place, right?

We don't know that. We do know that none has come to light in the news articles so far. But what the hospital report says and what the police investigations has found out --- we don't know.

 

[gianmarco]

 

[fatness]

The truth doesn't really matter, not when it comes to how the NFL and the Steelers handles this, as tough as that might sound to many of you.

You're so far off base with this that it's laughable. Did you chuckle when you wrote it?

 

[roadkill1292]

The truth doesn't really matter, not when it comes to how the NFL and the Steelers handles this, as tough as that might sound to many of you.

You're so far off base with this that it's laughable. Did you chuckle when you wrote it?

Whoever brought out the Gekko alias for a stroll today ought to put it away and lock the door.

 

[E_Smith]

I have to disagree with some of your points. Ben may be below average looking, but that is easily trumped by wealth and fame in our society. His lawyers can attack the victims character and if they succeed, and can paint Ben as the victim, then I think he could still get a pass from "society." I think the fact that he is a successful, white, star QB works far more in his favor than if he were a black quarterback. Imagine if this were any black player accused of assaulting a white college girl in a southern town!! Hmmm, I think I'll take being white in exchange for no favorable minority PC media spin if I'm Big Ben.

1) In western society, a man accused by a woman of some kind of sexual crime, whether later vindicated or not, is tantamount to actual guilt in effect. You are guilty once the accusation hits public light, no one will ever look at you the same way again. A return to the status quo is impossible. 2) Western society in general has actual contempt for it's celebrities and Big Ben is a celebrity, he's not just an athlete, he's a celebrity as well. 3) Uglier people are often given poorer treatment or less of a benefit of the doubt that those considered attractive against a social baseline. Big Ben will not be offered roles in gay male porn anytime soon. What Goodell actually does to Big Ben, or not, might have very little to do with the actual truth. There are those of you out there who might not like, might not think it's fair, but this is how the world works.

My point is that Ben's attractiveness or lack thereof is pretty much drowned out by his status as a super-athlete. I think everyone knows Ben can score some serious tail, maybe not supermodel tail, but he can do quite well. So your whole Harry and Sally thing is pretty moot. Secondly, if Ben is acquitted and she turns out to be discredited then I disagree, he most certainly can return to the status quo, and the Steelers/NFL will not come down on him...so the TRUTH does MATTER to the extent the truth can be discovered through the process accurately.

 

[Christo]

I have to disagree with some of your points. Ben may be below average looking, but that is easily trumped by wealth and fame in our society. His lawyers can attack the victims character and if they succeed, and can paint Ben as the victim, then I think he could still get a pass from "society." I think the fact that he is a successful, white, star QB works far more in his favor than if he were a black quarterback. Imagine if this were any black player accused of assaulting a white college girl in a southern town!! Hmmm, I think I'll take being white in exchange for no favorable minority PC media spin if I'm Big Ben.

Let me try a different example.

Anyone else stop reading here?

 

[ScottyFargo]

A couple of years ago I heard from a woman who said that Roethlisberger blew off a Make-A-Wish kid. When KDKA-TVs News Director, John Verrilli, was shown the email, he made it clear that it was a story that his news department would not be pursuing. I eventually got in contact with the parents of the little girl who the jackass snubbed. They said the story was true but they didn’t want to go public with it for their daughter’s sake. The little girl had cystic fibrosis.

http://justwatchthegame.com/blog/just-watch-the-game-blogI know this thread is for the investigation and not about piling on about how much Roethlisberger sucks as a person, but man, does he ever suck as a person. That doesn't warrant a new thread, I'm sure, but these anecdotes coming out about him are ticking me off.

 

[CrossEyed]

A couple of years ago I heard from a woman who said that Roethlisberger blew off a Make-A-Wish kid. When KDKA-TVs News Director, John Verrilli, was shown the email, he made it clear that it was a story that his news department would not be pursuing. I eventually got in contact with the parents of the little girl who the jackass snubbed. They said the story was true but they didn’t want to go public with it for their daughter’s sake. The little girl had cystic fibrosis.

http://justwatchthegame.com/blog/just-watch-the-game-blogI know this thread is for the investigation and not about piling on about how much Roethlisberger sucks as a person, but man, does he ever suck as a person. That doesn't warrant a new thread, I'm sure, but these anecdotes coming out about him are ticking me off.

Wow. Stiegerwald is a guy that would I believe is telling the truth.

 

[Adebisi]

The victim has two witnesses. It could also be her friends though who weren't there at the time. But I believe charges are going to be filed.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/pdf/201003/...lice_report.pdf

Great link with blacked out info Lots of Patsies fans starting to say their mind on this looks like too

Somewhere along the line, Steelers fans decided that Patriots fans hate the Steelers. It's just not true. Sorry.

 

[Adebisi]

I love how some Pats fans try to parlay every single bad thing that happens to another team or player into some sort of twisted exoneration for Spygate.

I didn't even bring up Spygate. Someone else apparently found filming the opponents' coaches on the sideline comparable to a star QB raping a woman. I actually made a clear effort to separate the two issues when Spygate was inexplicably brought up. There are a million other threads around here if you guys want to discuss that scandal. I'm kind of bored with it.

 

[menobrown]

A couple of years ago I heard from a woman who said that Roethlisberger blew off a Make-A-Wish kid. When KDKA-TVs News Director, John Verrilli, was shown the email, he made it clear that it was a story that his news department would not be pursuing. I eventually got in contact with the parents of the little girl who the jackass snubbed. They said the story was true but they didn’t want to go public with it for their daughter’s sake. The little girl had cystic fibrosis.

http://justwatchthegame.com/blog/just-watch-the-game-blogI know this thread is for the investigation and not about piling on about how much Roethlisberger sucks as a person, but man, does he ever suck as a person. That doesn't warrant a new thread, I'm sure, but these anecdotes coming out about him are ticking me off.

Wow. Stiegerwald is a guy that would I believe is telling the truth.

I don't know Stiegerwald but I put little stock in his piece. He just came off sounding bitter and I thought his article sounded like something a High School girl would write. If you are going to accuse someone of being on drugs or being a bad citizen than you should provide exact examples or shut your pie hole.

 

[Pat Patriot]

The victim has two witnesses. It could also be her friends though who weren't there at the time. But I believe charges are going to be filed.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/pdf/201003/...lice_report.pdf

Great link with blacked out info Lots of Patsies fans starting to say their mind on this looks like too

Somewhere along the line, Steelers fans decided that Patriots fans hate the Steelers. It's just not true. Sorry.

Speak for yourself. I'm a Patriots' fan and I hate the Steelers.

 

[Workhorse]

A couple of years ago I heard from a woman who said that Roethlisberger blew off a Make-A-Wish kid. When KDKA-TVs News Director, John Verrilli, was shown the email, he made it clear that it was a story that his news department would not be pursuing. I eventually got in contact with the parents of the little girl who the jackass snubbed. They said the story was true but they didn’t want to go public with it for their daughter’s sake. The little girl had cystic fibrosis.

http://justwatchthegame.com/blog/just-watch-the-game-blogI know this thread is for the investigation and not about piling on about how much Roethlisberger sucks as a person, but man, does he ever suck as a person. That doesn't warrant a new thread, I'm sure, but these anecdotes coming out about him are ticking me off.

Wow. Stiegerwald is a guy that would I believe is telling the truth.

I don't know Stiegerwald but I put little stock in his piece. He just came off sounding bitter and I thought his article sounded like something a High School girl would write. If you are going to accuse someone of being on drugs or being a bad citizen than you should provide exact examples or shut your pie hole.

Blowing off a Make-A-Wish kid isn't being a bad citizen?

 

[Kiddnets]

PFT now has it.....ouch!

Long-time Pittsburgh sportscaster unloads on Big Ben

Posted by Mike Florio on March 11, 2010 8:29 PM ET

As we've mentioned a time or two this week, the tide of public opinion in Pittsburgh has turned dramatically against Ben Roethlisberger in the wake of a second allegation of sexual assault.

Local talk radio has featured plenty of anecdotal evidence regarding generally boorish behavior from Big Ben (we've heard a couple of stories that we possibly will be posting, once they are vetted by the PFT legal team -- i.e., me), and his defenders are becoming fewer and farther between.

Perhaps most jarring is the maiden blog voyage of long-time, old-school Pittsburgh sportscaster John Steigerwald, who spent more than two decades on KDKA-TV, who has hosted radio in the Pittsburgh area, and who currently appears on a weekly Sunday night show on WTAE-TV.

Here's what Steigerwald says about Roethlisberger: "First of all, none of this surprises me. Ben is a bad citizen. He doesn't know how to treat people and he definitely doesn't know how to handle being the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In my more than 30 years of working in the Pittsburgh sports media, I have never had any player come close to generating as many unsolicited questions from fans as Roethlisberger has. They want to know why he's such a jackass. And these aren't just Steelers fans who got turned down for an autograph. It's men and women from all walks of life."

Steigerwald specifically points to a Make-A-Wish child that Roethlisberger allegedly blew off. Per Steigerwald, KDKA opted not to pursue the matter as a news story. Steigerwald later spoke to the parents, who did not want to go public on behalf of their daughter, who had cystic fibrosis.

Steigerwald's verdict? "Roethlisberger is a punk who needs to be knocked down a peg or two."

As a general matter, Pittsburgh-area sportscasters tread lightly when it comes to the Steelers, if they value access and cooperation from the organization. Steigerwald's atypical candor is a sign that, when it comes to Big Ben, the local journalists have either gotten a nod from the team to take off the gloves, or they just don't care.