Ray Rice's NFL Suspension Hearing Concludes
NEW YORK (WJZ) -- A two day appeal hearing for former Raven Ray Rice ends with some crucial testimony from Ravens leadership. Rice is fighting his suspension from the NFL, claiming he's been punished twice for the same offense.
Rick Ritter has more on the new report.
The hearing was closed to the public and a gag order was issued, but ESPN reports that Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome testified, saying Rice came clean about his actions with Commissioner Roger Goodell back in June.
The explosive fallout in the Ray Rice case continues, with a gag order that doesn't appear to hold any water.
ESPN reports Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome testified Thursday in Rice's appeal, saying he heard the former Raven tell Commissioner Goodell during his June 16 disciplinary hearing that he did strike his then-fiancée Janay Palmer inside an Atlantic City elevator back in February.
Commissioner Goodell first suspended Rice two games. But when video of the incident surfaced, the Ravens cut Rice and the league banned him indefinitely, claiming it was new evidence.
"It was clear there was an act of domestic violence, but it was inconsistent with the way he described what happened," Goodell said.
Rice and his legal team are arguing double jeopardy, saying he was punished twice for the same crime.
Both Rice and his wife Janay testified behind closed doors Thursday before former federal judge turned arbitrator Barbara Jones. She will decide the outcome.
Goodell testified for two hours on Wednesday. The Associated Press reports Ravens president Dick Cass, who was previously expected to testify, was not asked to take part in the hearing.
"Unless there's some bombshell I don't know about, I would predict that Ray Rice will prevail," said Bryon Warnken, (www.warnkenlaw.com).
If reinstated, Rice would be eligible to return to the NFL this season.
There's no timetable on a ruling in the case, but it could certainly come before the end of the month.
Rice has also filed a separate grievance against the Ravens for wrongful termination of the contract he signed back in 2012.
Baltimore Ravens News:
