Sorry, I guess I am looking at this from a purely legal viewpoint. I don’t know what the rules are in regard to booting a player for some perceived crime. The fact of the matter is that the woman he punched did not file a criminal complaint and no charges were brought. Technically an assault must be an unwanted touching. From her statements she apparently gave this creep permission to punch her so there was technically no assault.
It’s like the aftermath of a bar fight. If nobody presses charges, then it is assumed that everyone was a willing participant and there is no assault.
If she is happy with this guy, then why is it the business of the NFL?
Your legal viewpoint does not stand. Charges are not required to be filed by a victim in order for the act to be defined as criminal.
If someone runs over a pedestrian with his/her vehicle, leaves the scene of the incident without any witnesses present, and the victims dies, does this indicate that there was no crime?
Whether or not the fiance filed charges is beside the point. A crime was clearly committed judging by the video. Furthermore, she didn’t actually give him permission to strike her. The video doesn’t show her explicitly giving Ray Rice permission to assault her. Mrs. Rice is just trying to cover for her husband, but that doesn’t mean a crime did not take place.
You said: “It’s like the aftermath of a bar fight. If nobody presses charges, then it is assumed that everyone was a willing participant and there is no assault.”
Or someone was too drunk to remember. Or someone was beaten so badly that they couldn’t remember what happened. There are countless examples of victims who were murdered in front of witnesses without anyone coming forward and talking to the police. Does this mean the victim was a willing participant in the murder? Of course not.
A crime is a crime, regardless whether or not someone files charges.
“If she is happy with this guy, then why is it the business of the NFL?”
It’s the business of the NFL because R. Rice was a Ravens players, and the footage of his criminal actions could affect the league as well as the team negatively, thus affecting their bottom line.
They were in NJ right? I don’t know about NJ but any sign of domestic assault in NY will get you arrested whether the other person wants you charged or not. There is ample evidence domestic violence occurred in this case.