Showing posts with label child abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child abuse. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Reports: Adrian Peterson to Plead No Contest; Avoid Jail Time--UPDATED

((ht: profootballtalk.com))

Well, it appears that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is going to avoid jail time on his felony child abuse charges.

Pro Football Talk and other outlets are reporting that Peterson and his attorney Rusty Hardin have reached agreement with a Montgomery County, Texas court. The agreement will call for Peterson to plead no contest to a count of misdemeanor reckless assault pending judicial approval.

It (the plea) will include a reference to family violence and/or violence against a minor. If it is accepted by the Judge overseeing the case, Peterson will pay a $2,000 fine, be put on probation and required to serve 80 hours of community service.

And since it means Peterson won't go to jail, it puts the ball squarely in the court of the NFL and the Vikings. The star running back has already sat for 8 games. Would the NFL give him more time?

The rumble of this case has quieted considerably, the guess is Peterson will be reinstated.

The Vikings are off this upcoming week, which would be perfect for the team. Though rookies Matt Asiata and Jerrick McKinnon have filled in admirably.

More to come if or when things become official---

Update:

Things are official.

Judge Kelly Case accepted the agreed upon terms:

--Peterson't charge will be reckless assault

--He (the judge) won't adjudicate the case for two years

--Peterson pays a $4,000 fine

--Peterson puts in 80 hours of community service time...

After the hearing Tuesday afternoon, Peterson made a statement, telling the assembled massed; "I truly regret this incident. I take full responsibility for my actions. I love my son more than any one of you can imagine and I'm anxious to continue my relationship with my child"

NFL---Your serve...

--

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

And, Now, AP Is "Exempt..." Until Further Notice

((HT: KMSP-TV))

Nothing like a middle of the night missive...

The Wilf's have decided to go against their previous team decision and now have placed Adrian Peterson on a Commissioner's Exempt List- which the HQ thinks only Michael Vick was on previously.

AP has been "asked," "encouraged," or whatever verb you can pick for this situation to stay away from all Vikings team activities until further notice- when his legal issues are taken care of through legal channels.

Here's the morning news- or the "middle of the night" news...


The Wilfs made the decision to avoid any kind of exposure in front of cameras until they could control the situation for their own benefit- translation: a press conference where they may or may not show up themselves and can have GM Rick Spielman defend an undefendable position.

A press conference is set for later this morning and we'll update you then...

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Big Sponsors Now Voicing Displeasure Over Peterson's Status

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities/ESPN))

This is getting escalated quickly...

Big-name Minnesota Vikings sponsors and public figures are voicing their displeasure with the Adrian Peterson situation and the idea that Peterson will play this weekend against New Orleans. Radisson Hotels is suspending its sponsorship of the team and the governor is getting his two cents in.

Of course, it was the lead at 5:00
KMSP-TV

Here's Governor Dayton's statement in full:

"It is an awful situation. Yes, Mr. Peterson is entitled to due process and should be "innocent until proven guilty." However, he is a public figure; and his actions, as described, are a public embarrassment to the Vikings organization and the State of Minnesota. Whipping a child to the extent of visible wounds, as has been alleged, should not be tolerated in our state. Therefore, I believe the team should suspend Mr. Peterson, until the accusations of child abuse have been resolved by the criminal justice system. However, I will not turn my back on the Vikings and their fans, as some have suggested. The Vikings belong to Minnesota – and in Minnesota. This has been the team's only home; and our citizens, including myself, have been its most dedicated fans."

And KO is still on the forefront to keep 28 from playing for the near future- dropping another pipe bomb

Monday, September 15, 2014

DEVELOPING: Another Child Abuse Accusation Involving AP (UPDATE: Now Adding A Question Mark)

((HT: KHOU-TV))

And this doesn't look good...

Another four-year-old who Adrian Peterson has fathered with a different woman than the one currently involved in the Montgomery County, Texas abuse investigation has come forward to say that there may be another abuse case involving the star running back.

We're just going to turn it over to the folks in Houston to explain this one
Rusty Hardin is, apparently, out of the country and was searching for an extension in the court date scheduled for the initial arraignment. The HQ is thinking that he is going to want to combine both and push them back as far as humanly possible... Josina Anderson, through her Twitter feed, got an answer to that story from Rusty Hardin: The allegation of another investigation into Adrian Peterson is simply not true. This is not a new allegation, it's one that is unsubstantiated and was shopped around to authorities in two states over a year ago and nothing came of it. An adult witness adamantly insists Adrian did nothing inappropriate with his son. There is no ongoing or new investigation.

DEVELOPING: AP Expecting To Play Next Week (Updated w/Statement)

The Minnesota Vikings thought long and hard about it and it looks like they're waiting for that whole "due process" thing to take care of itself before trying to distance themselves from Adrian Peterson.

Here's their thoughts in entirety:

“Today’s decision was made after significant thought, discussion and consideration. As evidenced by our decision to deactivate Adrian from yesterday’s game, this is clearly a very important issue. On Friday, we felt it was in the best interests of the organization to step back, evaluate the situation, and not rush to judgment given the seriousness of this matter. At that time, we made the decision that we felt was best for the Vikings and all parties involved.

To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child. At this time, however, we believe this is a matter of due process and we should allow the legal system to proceed so we can come to the most effective conclusions and then determine the appropriate course of action. This is a difficult path to navigate, and our focus is on doing the right thing. Currently we believe we are at a juncture where the most appropriate next step is to allow the judicial process to move forward.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and support Adrian’s fulfillment of his legal responsibilities throughout this process.”


Peterson himself released a statement which said in part:

"I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I caused my child". He also said; "I never imagined being in a position where the world is judging my parenting skills or calling me a child abuser because of the discipline I administered to my son."

Next up for Minnesota is New Orleans: a must-win for both teams, really...

Peterson is slated to make his first appearance in a Conroe, Texas courtroom on Wednesday. Though his attorney, Rusty Hardin is trying to get that delayed since he is out of the country.

Prosecutors are going to chase after the individual or individuals who leaked the photos and case documents. Montgomery County prosecutor Phil Grant says investigations of child abuse are confidential and a leak of information can get the guilty party up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Here's team coverage of Peterson's absence from MyFoxTwinCities
KMSP-TV

Monday, November 25, 2013

4 More Charged In Steubenville Rape Case

((HT: WTRF-TV))

The Steubenville High rape case continues to gather depth as four more individuals have been arrested in association with the case where Steubenville football players recorded a rape a 16-year-old on their camera phones, shuttled it around on social media, and were part of a conspiracy to make sure no charges were filed in and around the football team.

Two players, Ma'Lik Richmond and Trent Mays, were convicted in the case and now four more individuals are up on charges after a grand jury investigation. Richmond was convicted of rape and sentenced to a year as a juvenile. Mays was convicted of rape and of using his phone to take a picture of the girl.

He was sentenced to two years in juvenile detention.

A special grand jury had investigated whether coaches and/or school administrators knew of the rape allegation, but failed to report that they knew- and exactly just how much they knew.

Here's the initial results brought forth...

Steubenville City Schools Superintendent Michael McVey has been indicted on five counts:

One count of tampering with evidence - a third degree felony
Two Counts of obstructing justice - a fifth degree felony
One count of falsification, a first degree misdemeanor
One count of obstructing official business, a second degree misdemeanor


McVey could face up to 7 years and 270 days in prison.

The second person is Lynnett Gorman- the principal of West Elementary in Steubenville- was charged with failure to report child abuse, a fourth degree misdemeanor. Gorman could face up to 30 days in jail.

The third is Seth Fluharty- wrestling coach and special education teacher at Steubenville High. He was also charged with failure to report child abuse. Fluharty could serve up to the same 30 day sentence.

The fourth is Matthew Bellardine, a former volunteer coach for the football team, who faces four charges including:

Underage persons offenses concerning ("beer or intoxicating liquor") - a first degree misdemeanor
Obstructing Official Business - a second degree misdemeanor
Falsification - a first degree misdemeanor
Contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a child - a first degree misdemeanor


Bellardine could serve up to 1 year and 265 days in jail.

Here's the press conference in full with Ohio AG Mike DeWine
WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Here's the press release on the findings of the grand jury...

Friday, October 11, 2013

DEVELOPING: AP's Son Dies

((HT: KARE-TV))

Joseph Robert Patterson has been charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault on an infant in Lincoln County, South Dakota for allegedly harming a 2-year-old who was in his care. The 2-year-old has been identified as a child of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Peterson did address the media after practice Friday, but wouldn't go into any details as to what was going on in South Dakota. He had gone to Sioux Falls Thursday, returned to practice today, and said he would be playing Sunday.

From USA Today's reporting of the incident:

"As officers and first responders got there, they found child was unresponsive and he was taken to the hospital," Sioux Falls police spokesman Sam Clemens told the newspaper. "So they ended up calling police about that or letting them know. We had detectives talk to quite a few people to try to figure out what happened. What they ended up finding was that when the injuries happened there was one person with that child, and that person was Joseph Patterson."

"The injuries they found were head injuries," Clemens said. "It was obvious to medical staff that abuse had taken place and that those injuries weren't accidental."

Patterson is being held on a $750,000 cash bond.

Here's team coverage...

If Patterson is found guilty of the charges, the HQ is fairly certain that a lot of people would like to see him in a room with Peterson for a short time while the entire country's back is turned...

DEVELOPING: AP's Son In Critical Condition In South Dakota

((HT: KSTP-TV))

Here's what we KNOW...

The father of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press newspaper that a two-year-old son of the Vikings running back has been injured. Local news reports have listed the boy as being in critical condition at a South Dakota hospital.

From the Jensen/Lindberg article:

"All I can say is, we are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as we deal with this tragic situation..."

According to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader newspaper, police arrested Joseph Robert Patterson Wednesday night on charges of aggravated assault and battery against an infant. Patterson called police early in the evening to report that the child was choking, and at the hospital when the child was examined, police determined the injuries were not consistent with that description.

Patterson also has a history of domestic violence. Two previous relationships in 2004 and 2011 ended either in protection orders or assault charges against him...

Adrian Peterson left Vikings practice yesterday to go to South Dakota for "an undisclosed personal matter." He was back at practice on Friday, and there is no word on whether the Vikings or Peterson will address the matter after practice...

Here's the breaker from KSTP

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Father Allegedly Beats Son Over Bedlam Allegiance

((HT: KFOR-TV))

The HQ knows all about Bedlam...

We know about rivalries, what they mean, and how they effect families- even cutting them in pieces. You've all seen the license plates about houses divided and all that stuff...

We now have our extreme example as to what rivalries mean... and this one is pretty extreme...

A 41-year-old father from a town outside Stillwater, Oklahoma is accused of beating his 9-year-old son because his son liked Oklahoma and the Sooners, not sharing the father's allegiance to OSU...

Awesome...

Here's their coverage from a small town...


Apparently, this wasn't the first time this may have happened, either...
Even more awesome...

The HQ thinks that this father, when behind bars, will make new friends very quickly...
And not in a good way...

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Spanier Arraigned In Sandusky Case

((HT: WHP-TV))

Graham Spanier, the former president at Penn State appeared in court today facing charges from his alleged involvement in the Jerry Sandusky scandal. He didn't speak to the media. Spanier's attorney, Elizabeth Ainslie, spoke for the both of them on the charges:

“It is absolutely ridiculous. Dr. Spanier was never given a chance to speak to this grand jury to give his side of the story and we look forward to the chance to present his side of the story in the future.”


Here is Spanier walking into court not answering questions...


Spanier was arraigned on charges of:
Endangering the Welfare of Children
Perjury
Obstruction
Criminal Conspiracy, and
Failure to report child abuse

Bond was set at $125,000. But the bond is unsecured, there is no cost involved unless he doesn't show up for his next court date of November 16th. Spanier was also told to forfeit his passport and that he can't leave the state of Pennsylvania.

More when we know more...