Roethlisberger Speaks, Apologizes To Steelers

The fans, teammates, everyone associated with the case, even the District Attorney, Fred Bright...

Just not to any kind of alleged victim...

Here's the full statement, thanks again to our friends at KDKA-TV...


Here's coverage from WAGA-TV in Atlanta, Julia Harding was in Milledgeville...
((HT: MyFoxAtlanta))


The HQ thinks Bright's take is fairly common-sensical and that the Steelers QB better take heed quickly, or he'll need the same real estate agent Santonio Holmes is using to get rid of his Pittsburgh living quarters...

Roethlisberger won't be charged...

Well, today we found out what the officials think of the evidence surrounding the charges filed by a 20-year old Georgia College woman against Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The Ocmulgee Circuit D.A., Fredrick Bright announced today that he didn't feel there was enough evidence available to charge Roethlisberger with any offense.

Here's the initial announcement, thanks to our friends at KDKA-TV...


He did state that both parties were cognizant of each other and their paths crossed a couple of times over the course of his evening of partying and bar hopping in that noted party town of Milledgeville.

((Ben Roethlisberger is relieved//Courtesy: fanpix.net))

According to Bright, there was no medical evidence that the woman had been violated sexually. He also said that the DNA sample that was taken from her was minuscule and not enough to determine pretty much anything.

Said Bright: "We didn't even have probable cause in this case."

"Here, the overall circumstances do not lead to a viable prosecution..." was Bright's reason for not pursuing the case. He also added that the victim and her lawyer had decided recently to not pursue the issue any further.

Bright also explained that, "...we are not condoning Mr. Roethlisberger's behavior, but we are not in the business of passing moral judgement."

No, he is not.

However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell does want to speak to Big Ben and he has publicly expressed a desire to do it this week.

Goodell is a bit more concerned about moral judgement, at least when it pertains to players in the NFL. He has, in several cases, punished players for repeated allegations or insinuations of bad behavior or judgement. We don't know that Roehtlisberger will be suspended for his behavior, but at the very least, we do expect a strong public rebuke telling him that he needs to behave like a grown up.

Lest we forget the Rooney's and the folks in Pittsburgh who have been less than thrilled with their Quarterback's behavior over the past several off seasons. We will also be curious and keep an eye out to see how they handle this.

Here's Part 2 of the early Bright Press Conference, once again courtesy KDKA-TV...


More when we know more..

DEVELOPING STORY: Sources Say Roethlisberger Will Not Face Charges, DA Still Silent

((HT: ESPN-Naqi))

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will not be charged after an investigation into accusations of sexual assault by a 20-year-old woman in Milledgeville, Georgia sources told ESPN's Kelly Naqi.

District Attorney Fred Bright will announce on Monday that charges will not be brought, but Bright did say in a statement he has reviewed all the investigation reports and will hold a news conference at 2PM Monday afternoon.

Milledgeville police Chief Woodrow Blue said Wednesday his department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation had wrapped up their investigation.

PM UPDATE: Sources close to the investigation told OSG Sports Friday evening that if anyone told Naqi that no charges would be filed, that word most likely would not and did not come from the DA's office in this case.

District Attorney Bright has not spoken to anyone publicly or privately about the Roethlisberger case to any degree. Bright is still holding off addressing the matter until his Monday press conference.

More when we know more...

DEVELOPING STORY: Roethlisberger's Fate In The DA's Hands...

And now we wait. Ben Roethlisberger will now await what Baldwin County District Attorney Fred Bright has to say about the sexual assault allegation against him.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Milledgeville Police Department officially handed over all of their information to Bright's office for him to decide whether there would be an indictment or not.

More from the Macon Telegraph and macon.com RIGHT HERE

From this point on, the Milledgeville PD won't be commenting on the case, all questions should be referred to Bright's office. The case, which has drawn considerable national attention centers around a 20-year old college students claim that she was sexually attacked by Roethlisberger at the Capital City Club in Milledgeville on March 5th.

((Ben Roethlisberger/File Photo))

Both sides have lawyered up and we now await comment from Bright who we were told wouldn't be commenting at least until he reviewed everything pertaining to the case. There are a lot of people, from Roger Goodell all the way down the priority pole who are anxious to hear what he has to say.

WMAZ-TV in Macon has the statement in its entirety:
"On Tuesday evening, April 6th, the report and all witness statements were turned over to District Attorney Fred Bright for review and appropriate action. There will be no further statements until a decision has been made by the DA."