Ray Rice's Appeal Hearing Begins Wednesday
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Former Raven Ray Rice's appeal will get underway Wednesday in New York City.
Mike Hellgren has more on what to expect.
It will last two days. Arbitration is a little more loose with witnesses and hearsay testimony, which will include Rice and the NFL commissioner, with credibility on the line.
"It really has nothing to do with money," Rice said.
He wants back in the game. With union backing, his appeal will focus on whether Commissioner Roger Goodell abused his power and improperly punished Rice twice for beating the woman he would later marry inside a casino elevator.
The NFL commissioner claimed Rice lied.
"It was clear there was an act of domestic violence but it was inconsistent with the way he described what happened," Goodell said.
He'll face off against powerhouse lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, who has battled the league over free agency, bountygate and even Michael Vick's bonus after his dogfighting conviction.
Former federal judge Barbara Jones will preside over the case. She left the bench in New York after 17 years and is now in private practice. The New York Times notes her low-key manner, her efficiency and her wry sense of humor.
She's helmed many high-profile cases, including the landmark Edie Windsor same-sex marriage lawsuit and a woman who tried to extort Bill Cosby's for millions.
In Rice's case, her ruling will be difficult to appeal---and that ruling could come quickly. Although she's not bound by any timeline, her decision could be made before the season is over and it is conceivable that Rice could be back on the field---but the Ravens have made it clear it won't be with them.
Rice was initially suspended for two games before the commissioner made it indefinite. He has another grievance pending against the Ravens for wrongful termination of his multi-million dollar contract.
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