Atlantic City Judge Michael A. Donio dismissed the domestic violence charges against Ray Rice on Thursday after the New Rochelle native completed a pretrial intervention program. The charges stemmed from Rice’s physical altercation in February 2014 with his now-wife, Janay, in an Atlantic City casino elevator.
The three-time Pro Bowler played with the Baltimore Ravens from 2008 until being suspended in 2014 and had his $35 million contract terminated in September, when the infamous elevator video surfaced of the altercation.
Rice, 28, applied for New Jersey’s pre-trial intervention program at a court appearance last May, where he pleaded not guilty to assault charges.
The Rice case caused a wave of criticism against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (who just turned 56 in February) for what was widely seen as slap-on-the-wrist type penalties, he gave to players in domestic abuse cases.
Goodell initially gave Rice a two-game suspension for the fight but in September after video of the punch went viral, suspended him indefinitely. The commissioner admitted “he didn’t get it right” and has since revamped the league’s policies concerning domestic violence.
Rice filed a wrongful termination grievance after he was cut from the Ravens and ultimately settled with the club for a reported $1.6 million.
Rice won his appeal and had his indefinite suspension from the NFL overturned and is a free agent, hoping to land a job with another team. He has since married Janay.
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AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
