Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has been accepted into a pretrial intervention program that will avert prosecution for an alleged assault on his then-fiancee, the Atlantic City Press reported Tuesday.
According to the newspaper, Rice will be entered in the program for a minimum of one year and will have a third-degree charge of aggravated assault dismissed upon successful completion.
While the arrest will still remain on his record, the three-time Pro Bowl selection will not be convicted for the crime as long as he compiles with the program.
"This decision was arrived at after careful consideration of the information contained in Mr. Rice's application in light of all of the facts gathered during the investigation," acting Atlantic County prosecutor Jim McClain told the Press. "After considering all relevant information in light of applicable law, it was determined that this was the appropriate disposition."
Rice was arrested in February following an incident with Janay Palmer at the Revel Casino in Atlantic City. A surveillance video released by TMZ.com showed the 27-year-old lifting a motionless Palmer out of an elevator and onto the floor, though there was no footage of any physical altercation between the two.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office indicted Rice on March 27, shortly before he and Palmer were married. Rice pleaded not guilty to the charges on May 1 and was scheduled to return to court on May 29.
Palmer, now known as Janay Rice, also sent a letter to the prosecutor's office in support of the intervention program, according to the Press.
No specifics in regards to the program were made public.
Rice, who has had no previous off-field issues during his six seasons in the NFL, could still face a possible suspension if found to have violated the league's personal conduct policy.
[SportsNetwork.com]
