Category: Domestic Violence

A recent autopsy of Jovan Belcher might prove there’s a link between domestic violence and traumatic brain injury.

The 25-year-old Belcher, linebacker for the Kansas City chiefs killed himself after fatally shooting his girlfriend roughly a year ago. This recent autopsy revealed Belcher had signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – a degenerative brain disease often found in athletes that have a history of repetitive brain injuries.

Domestic Violence

On Dec. 1, 2012 Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend, 22-year-old Kasandra Perkins, in the couple’s home. His mother was caring for the couple’s baby daughter in a room nearby. Belcher then drove to the Chief’s training facility where he then shot himself in front of Scott Pioli and Romeo Crennel – then-general manager and then-coach of the Chief’s.

Autopsy Linked to Domestic Violence

At the request of lawyers representing Zoey Belcher, daughter of Jovan Belcher and Kasandra Perkins, the autopsy was performed last December. Attorneys received the results in February, and just released them recently to the media in light of all the recent ties between the NFL and domestic violence. The autopsy results showed that “The microscopic findings of neurofibrillary tangles in young person [Belcher] are fully consistent with the pathological presentation of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy [CTE] as it is reported in the available medical literature.” Signs of CTE were also found in Junior Seau and Dave Duerson, former NFL players who both committed suicide.

Autopsy Results Released as More NFL Ties with Domestic Violence 

“In the past month five different NFL players implicated in horrendous episodes in domestic violence,” said Dirk Vandever, one of the attorneys representing plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against the Chiefs. “The Chiefs knew he and his significant other were having major domestic violence issues and he had a major concussion two weeks before this happened,” said Ken McClain, another attorney representing plaintiffs filing lawsuits against the Chiefs.

For advice on domestic violence, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: The Huffington Post, Autopsy Of Chiefs’ Jovan Belcher One Year After Murder-Suicide Finds Signs Of Brain Disease CTE, September 29, 2014

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Divorce Law LA

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According to a letter from commissioner Roger Goodell to NFL team owners, within 30 days, all NFL team personnel and staff will now be required to undergo training on the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Announcement

The announcement came the night before Goodell was set to make his first public statement in more than a week regarding the rash of NFL players involved in domestic violence allegations. His issued memo states: “These initial sessions will begin to provide the men and women of the NFL with information and tools to understand and recognize domestic violence and sexual assault. We will work with the NFL Players Association [NFLPA] to develop and present this training in the most effective way.”

This move is the latest attempt in addressing the criticism the league has received from the public and various sponsors of the league for its response to domestic violence and child abuse charges of its players.

Cooperation and Partnering

The crisis has forced a new cooperation between the league and the NFLPA.

The letter also informed owners of the league’s newly forged partnerships with several groups. “The NFL’s initial support will be directed toward state coalitions to provide additional resources to state and local sexual assault hotlines,” the letter reads.

Continued Work

Goodell closed the letter, saying the NFL has plans to put “significant resources” behind domestic violence awareness and support for victims. “These are by no means final steps,” Goodell concluded. “We will continue to work with experts to expand and develop long-term programs that raise awareness, educate, and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault both within the NFL and in our society in general.”

For advice on domestic violence, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: CNN, Arizona Cardinals player arrested on domestic violence allegations, September 17, 2014

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Ray Rice was let go by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely from he NFL after the video documenting a violent display of domestic violence was released. The video plainly shows the running back punching out his then-fiancee in an elevator.

The Video

The grainy video shows Rice and fiancee, now wife, Janay Palmer riding in an elevator in an Atlantic City casino. Both Palmer and Rice hit one another before Rice punches Palmer off her feet and down into the elevator’s railing. A video released prior to this one showed Rice dragging Palmer, from the elevator at the Revel casino.

The Associated Press reported it had viewed a higher-quality version of the video that had been provided to them by a law enforcement official. Rice and Palmer could be heard shouting obscenities at each other in that version of the video. According to the AP, after Palmer collapses, Rice then drags her out of the elevator. Once outside the elevator, the couple is met by a member of the hotel staff who asks, “She’s drunk, right?” And then, “No cops.” Rice does not respond.

Termination

The Ravens said they never saw the new video released by TMZ Sports. But hours later, after seeing it they sent out a one-sentence statement: “The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of RB Ray Rice this afternoon.”

Previous Decisions

In July, the NFL suspended Rice for two games for domestic violence. The lack of severity of the punishment received widespread criticism.

“We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. “That video was not made available to us and no one in our office has seen it until today.” The decision was a unanimous one that came following a brief meeting called by franchise owner Steve Bisciotti. According to a close source, that meeting also involved general manager Ozzie Newsome, coach John Harbaugh and team president Dick Cass. “We hadn’t seen the video,” the source said. “The video changes the perspective.”

“The video is really all the information I’ve seen. I did learn on the way over to the facility about Mr. Rice being released, and have not yet talked to Roger [Goodell] about any other discipline,” said executive director of the NFL Players Association, DeMaurice Smith said. “I did hear that [Rice had been suspended], but I tend to rely on the Commissioner and learning all the facts first-hand. That’s what we’ll do, and once we know what those facts are, that will dictate our next steps.”

No $$$ for Rice

Rice had three years remaining on his contract with the Ravens.  $4 million this season, $3 million next season, and $3 million in 2016. The Ravens will not owe Rice any money as a result of this decision. Rice’s salary-cap number lowers later on this season from $8.75 million to $4.75 million. Next season, Rice would have still been on the Ravens’ cap for $9.5 million of dead money.

For advice on domestic violence, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: ESPN, Ray Rice cut, then suspended by NFL, September 9, 2014

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has recently informed team owners that there will be an increase in league penalties for proven instances of domestic violence or sexual assault. This is in light of yet another player being added to the list of domestic violence cases that have rocked the NFL. The debate is how these players should be handled, and if these cases need to be addressed under the disciplinary system.

Quince Enunwa

Quincy Enunwa, 22, wide receiver and practice squad player with the New York Jets, was recently arrested in Florham Park, N.J., while staying at the Wyndham Hamilton Park Hotel. He was taken to police headquarters where he was charged for simple assault following an alleged domestic violence dispute with his girlfriend. He was released on his own recognizance pending further court action.

“…take very seriously…”

“This is something we take very seriously, obviously, and we’re aware of it. And again, I’m not going to comment further on details or anything else because it is a pending legal matter,” said Jets Coach Rex Ryan at a post-practice press conference. Ryan was asked if he felt the same way that San Francisco 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh does. Recently Harbaugh said he would not have a player who had been convicted of domestic violence on his team. Ryan responded, “There’s different things, but obviously there’s a big difference from being charged, allegedly charged, whatever and convicted. So again, I’m not going to get into what ifs or anything like that.”

Personal Conduct Policy

Recently Goodell sent team owners a letter declaring that under the NFL’s personal conduct policy a first time domestic violence or sexual assault offense would merit a six-game suspension. A second offense would merit an indefinite suspension of at least a year.

“These steps are based on a clear, simple principle: domestic violence and sexual assault are wrong. They are illegal,” Goodell wrote. “They have no place in the NFL and are unacceptable in any way, under any circumstances. That has been and remains our policy.”

For advice on domestic violence, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: USA Today, NFL has another case of alleged domestic violence, September 4, 2014

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co

Domestic violence can be a hard thing to define, especially if you are blinded by emotions and love for a person that is abusing you. Domestic violence is defined by a pattern of behavior that is used to gain and/or maintain power and control of an intimate partner in a relationship.

Forms of Abuse

Abuse comes in all forms: physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions, threats of actions. This comes in a variety of behaviors such as frightening, intimidation, terrorizing, manipulating, hurting, humiliating, blaming, injuring or wounding someone. All races, ages, sexual orientations, religions, and genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and people with high or low education levels, can experience domestic violence.

Domestic Abuse?

If you suspect you might be a victim of domestic violence, you might want to ask if your partner does the following:

• Calls you names or insults you
•  Acts jealous or possessive and does not trust you
• Attempts to isolate you from family or friends
• Monitors you – where you go, who you call
• Controls finances and refuses to share money
• Punishes you through withholding affections
• Requires you to ask permission
• Threatens to hurt you, children, other family members or pets
• Damages property when they get angry (examples include throwing objects or punching walls)
• Pushes, slaps, bites, kicks or chokes you
• Scares you by driving recklessly on purpose
• Uses a weapon to threaten or hurt you
• Forces you to leave your home
• Prevents you from calling police or seeking medical attention when they injure you
• Uses physical force in sexual situation
• Wants you to dress in a sexual way
• Has ever forced you or manipulated you into to having sex
• Holds you down or hurts you with weapons or objects during sex

Seek Help

If you feel you might be a victim of domestic violence, try to seek the help of a local domestic abuse hotline or center. Once you are out of the situation, you might want to work with a domestic violence lawyer that can help you get the best protection you need.

For advice on domestic violence, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, What is domestic violence, 2014

Divorce Law LA, Esq.

Divorce Law LA

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

https://bestdivorcelawyer.co