Ray Rice Domestic Abuse Charges Update: NFL Star Completes Program, All Charges Dropped
Domestic violence charges against Ray Rice, who was at least being temporarily out of the NFL, have been dismissed by a New Jersey judge after he completed a pretrial intervention program.
The Baltimore Sun reports Judge Michael A. Donia dismissed all the charges related to Rice's physical altercation in February 2014 with his now-wife, Janay, in an Atlantic City elevator.
After video of the incident was made public, the Baltimore Ravens immediately terminated Rice's $35 million contract. Rice was ultimately suspended by the NFL indefinitely. That suspension has since been lifted by former federal judge Barbara S. Jones.
Rice avoided jail time in the case by enrolling in a pretrial intervention as a first-time offender.
In February, Rice assured The Sun that his legal obligations were being fulfilled.
"I'm actually done in my case," Rice said. "Really, I just have to call the state of New Jersey once a month. After May 19, I'm done. It will be a full year. It will be like a refreshing start. That's the only little burden that I have. I have until May 19."
In the Atlantic City incident, Rice was also captured on surveillance video knocking his then-fiancee out. He then dragged her unconscious body off the elevator. Later in 2014, the video of him striking her was released, leading to his release by the Ravens.
The 28-year-old has played six NFL seasons with his best year coming in 2011 when he rushed for 1,364 yards and 12 touchdowns. Overall, Rice has registered 4,000 yards plus rushing seasons, each of them with at least five running scores.
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