Ray Rice's attorney calls him a 'high-character, good person'

BALTIMORE, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- After video emerged yesterday appearing to show Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice dragging his fiancée after knocking her unconscious during an altercation, his lawyer tried to remind people that his client is still a “good” guy.

“We just ask that the public remember what a high-character, good person Ray is, and that they reserve judgment until all the facts are out,” attorney Michael Diamondstein said after the video was released.

Rice, 27, and 26-year-old Janay Palmer were arrested and charged with simple assault-domestic violence after they allegedly attacked each other at a casino in Atlantic City. The charge is punishable by up to six months in jail. Rice "committed assault by attempting to cause bodily injury" to Palmer, "specifically by striking her with his hand, rendering her unconscious, at the Revel Casino,” according to the summons he was issued.

After the footage leaked on Wednesday, Rice pulled out of a Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charity fundraiser that was scheduled for Friday in Baltimore. An MDSPCA spokeswoman told the Baltimore Sun, “It was a mutual decision between the organization and Rice” because "they didn't want to take the focus off the animals and the cause." He will be replaced by Ravens nosetackle Haloti Ngata.

The paper also reports that the NFL will be reviewing Rice's arrest under its personal-conduct policy.

"We have seen the video, this is a serious matter and we are currently gathering more information,” a Ravens spokesman said.

[Baltimore Sun] [TMZ]