Arbiter Orders Goodell to Testify in Rice Case

[PatsWickedPissah]

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/ap-source-goodell-told-testify-rice-appeal-0

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been told to testify in Ray Rice's appeal of his indefinite suspension...

Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones, the neutral arbiter selected to hear the appeal, informed the parties of her decision Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the appeal have not been made public.

It was uncertain whether Goodell will actually testify. He said this month he would leave the decision to Judge Jones.

"We will continue to respect Judge Jones' confidentiality order regarding this proceeding," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email.

NFL lawyers have argued that Goodell shouldn't have to testify

We can all guess why Goodell does not want to subject his shifting weak story to substantive questioning unlike the fawning sports "journalists" puff balls whose careers depend on favors from the league.
So Goodell may choose to ignore the summons since this is not a criminal case and Jones does not have subpoena power. If Goodell blows it off, Arbitrator Jones could likely rule against the league reversing Rice’s suspension, immediately making him available to any NFL team willing to suffer the media onslaught. Denver could use a RB and all things Peyton Manning are immune to media criticism.

 

[Galeb]

He won't testify unless he is forced to.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Well since "He (Herr OberKommisar Goodell) said this month he would leave the decision to Judge Jones", then Goodell again will prove himself to be a LIAR if he does not testify.

 

[Deus Irae]

Well since "He (Herr OberKommisar Goodell) said this month he would leave the decision to Judge Jones", then Goodell again will prove himself to be a LIAR if he does not testify.

My guess is that he's more worried about bring proved a liar if he does testify.

 

[goheels22002]

My guess is that he's more worried about bring proved a liar if he does testify.

Agreed. Goodell's biggest issue in this hearing is answering questions, under oath, from hostile attorneys about the events between July 2014 when he suspended Rice for two games and early September 2014 when he suspended him indefinitely.

Rice's attorneys will hammer away at "What did the Commissioner know? And when did he know it?" One has to assume that the security guys for the casino will be called to testify as well as the TMZ guys. When the tape was seen in the NFL offices, and by whom, will come out. The timeline will emerge. Goodell could perjure himself.

The NFLPA and Rice's lawyers will be very interested in exploring the Commissioner's reach here. That has not been clear as Goodell wandered deeper into his role of judge, jury and executioner.

Do you think that the lovely Mrs. Rice will testify if she sees a path to helping him get re-instated and his pay check started up? She won't have to as his wife, I assume. She could be a valuable witness if she can make the case that the victim of the abuse was the ultimate victim of the suspension by taking away her husband's ability to earn a living.

Rice will be in an interesting place as this unfolds because it will once again put the beating of his fiancee in the headlines, and call into question whether he violated the terms of his contract.

It's hard for me to see how Judge Johnson holds this hearing without calling Goodell.

 

[chasa]

This feels like its going to turn into that scene from BSG when adama is being questioned and he just stands up and says "were done here" and tells everyone to go home.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

By your command! So say we all!

 

[chasa]

She could be a valuable witness if she can make the case that the victim of the abuse was the ultimate victim of the suspension by taking away her husband's ability to earn a living.

that would be a bad move.

The rice's best move is to prove that ray never lied about the incident, while owning it. the issue here is that rice was suspended after the video came out because he "lied" the issue is 1.)the NFL and the ravens both saw the video(allegedly) before it was leaked(resulting in the firing, indefinite suspension) and 2.)The NFL punished Ray Rice after the fact to save face.

This is going to end VERY badly for the NFL there only recourse is to have someone fall on the sword from inside the NFL offices, and then to use Ray as a beacon for change and force him to be the face of domestic abuse, and how to change.

 

[Kontradiction]

Either way, this is going to be good. Worst commissioner in professional sports (now that David Stern is retired).

 

[rochrist]

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/ap-source-goodell-told-testify-rice-appeal-0

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been told to testify in Ray Rice's appeal of his indefinite suspension...

Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones, the neutral arbiter selected to hear the appeal, informed the parties of her decision Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the appeal have not been made public.

It was uncertain whether Goodell will actually testify. He said this month he would leave the decision to Judge Jones.

"We will continue to respect Judge Jones' confidentiality order regarding this proceeding," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email.

NFL lawyers have argued that Goodell shouldn't have to testify

We can all guess why Goodell does not want to subject his shifting weak story to substantive questioning unlike the fawning sports "journalists" puff balls whose careers depend on favors from the league.
So Goodell may choose to ignore the summons since this is not a criminal case and Jones does not have subpoena power. If Goodell blows it off, Arbitrator Jones could likely rule against the league reversing Rice’s suspension, immediately making him available to any NFL team willing to suffer the media onslaught. Denver could use a RB and all things Peyton Manning are immune to media criticism.

Eh. Hillman seems like he's better than anything Rice has left.

 

[rochrist]

Agreed. Goodell's biggest issue in this hearing is answering questions, under oath, from hostile attorneys about the events between July 2014 when he suspended Rice for two games and early September 2014 when he suspended him indefinitely.

Rice's attorneys will hammer away at "What did the Commissioner know? And when did he know it?" One has to assume that the security guys for the casino will be called to testify as well as the TMZ guys. When the tape was seen in the NFL offices, and by whom, will come out. The timeline will emerge. Goodell could perjure himself.

The NFLPA and Rice's lawyers will be very interested in exploring the Commissioner's reach here. That has not been clear as Goodell wandered deeper into his role of judge, jury and executioner.

Do you think that the lovely Mrs. Rice will testify if she sees a path to helping him get re-instated and his pay check started up? She won't have to as his wife, I assume. She could be a valuable witness if she can make the case that the victim of the abuse was the ultimate victim of the suspension by taking away her husband's ability to earn a living.

Rice will be in an interesting place as this unfolds because it will once again put the beating of his fiancee in the headlines, and call into question whether he violated the terms of his contract.

It's hard for me to see how Judge Johnson holds this hearing without calling Goodell.

Sine this isn't a criminal proceeding, I'm not sure her being his wife has any bearing. IANAL however. I could be wrong.

 

[Joker]

you know, Kontra...I know this is Tommy...you think you're being cute using that avatar? I'm hooked on Snatch (the movie, wiseguys) and Dennis Farina's role. Love this film. I still don't know what the hell a Pikey is besides being an Irish gypsy? 10 million to make this film...what a score.