Crime & Safety
Ray Rice Pleads Not Guilty, Deal Pending
Rice said he was a 'happy husband,' appearing in court with the woman he was accused of assaulting.
Ravens running back Ray Rice told reporters he was a "happy father and a happy husband" at a New Jersey court Thursday before being arraigned on an assault charge involving his wife, according to ABC News.
Rice has more to be happy about, after prosecutors proposed a plea deal that would give him probation with no jail time and anger management counseling, WJZ reported. The probation would reportedly last between two and five years, to be determined at sentencing.
The case stemmed from a Feb. 15 incident in which Rice was seen dragging Janay Palmer, who was his fiancee at the time, at an Atlantic City casino. He and Palmer were married the day after Rice was indicted on a third-degree aggravated assault charge in March. They live with their young daughter in Reisterstown and are undergoing marriage counseling.
The two were holding hands upon arriving at the courthouse in Mays Landing, NJ, according to DelmarvaNow.com.
Rice's attorney entered a not guilty plea for his client, who only said one word—"present"—at the hearing, according to The Star-Ledger.
The attorney also filed for Rice to participate in a pre-trial intervention program, which still has to be approved by the judge, according to WNEW.
The state's pre-trial intervention program focuses on rehabilitation to prevent future criminal behavior rather than taking first-time offenders to trial. It is designed for New Jersey residents but anyone may apply, according to New Jersey Courts. Its successful completion reportedly expunges the charges.
Rice will return to court May 29 for a status conference, according to WJZ.
Regardless of the ruling, ESPN reported Rice would still likely face punishment from the NFL, like a fine or suspension, for violating its personal conduct policy.
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