Sues accuser
McDonald sues the woman who accused him of rape, claiming she defamed him and intentionally interfered with his livelihood. The lawsuit claims that the woman is lying in order to cover up the sexual encounter between she and McDonald. The lawsuit also states that the woman is trying to exploit the national wave of similar incidents that have involved NFL players.
In the eyes of the NFL teams, the unresolved threat of charges being filed against him, even though factually unfounded, continues to present a roadblock to this remarkable athlete being able to move forward in his career. This lawsuit is intended to vindicate him … and return his good name…False accusations such as this not only harm the person who was subjected to the accusation, but they also harm women generally, causing unwarranted suspicion in cases where an individual is rightfully accused of a sexual crime.
McDonald:
I feel like what I am doing is the right thing because I know that I am not this bad person that people are making me out to be. I’ve been fired from my job. I know some teams don’t even want to talk to me because of this past accusation. All I am trying to do is clear my name and move on with my life.
Arrested again
Drust is arrested in New Orleans on murder charge. He appears to admit murdering his friend on last episode of The Jinx:
What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course
Los Angeles Police:
As a result of investigative leads and additional evidence that has come to light in the past year, investigators have identified Robert Durst as the person responsible for Ms. Berman’s death.
Arrested
Police arrest Williams for shooting two police officers in Ferguson. Attorney General Eric Holder:
This arrest sends a clear message that acts of violence against our law enforcement personnel will never be tolerated. In the days ahead, we will continue to partner with the authorities in St. Louis County to secure justice for all those affected by this heinous and cowardly crime. And we will continue to stand vigilant in support of public safety officers and the communities they serve.
Files grievance
Richardson files a grievance against the Colts for voiding the $3.184 million he would have made during the 2015 season. Because Richardson was suspended for two games the day before the AFC Championship, language in Richardson’s contract allowed the Colts to not pay the final year of Richardson’s rookie contract.
Superbowl seat judgement
A federal jury orders the NFL to pay about $76,000 to some of the seven fans who sued over the seating issue at the 2011 Super Bowl. The jury says the NFL breached its contract with some ticket holders, but the NFL did not commit fraud. The plaintiffs complained that they had tickets to the game, but they either ended up without seats or they had seats with obstructed views. Hours before kickoff, around 1,250 temporary seats were declared unsafe, forcing about 850 ticket holders to move to new seats and 400 others to standing-room areas. The NFL says it fully compensated these displaced attendees.
Judge disallows some testimony
Hernandez’s trial judge disallows some testimony from a Glock employee who claimed that surveillance video showed Hernandez was carrying a gun after the murder. The judge says the jurors may still consider the portion of the Glock employee’s testimony where he identifies the black object in Hernandez’s hand as a gun based on the back strap, but the jurors may not consider testimony about other characteristics, including a trigger guard and front strap. The defense says the object could have been a TV remote.
Agrees to one-year extension
The Giants announce that Coughlin has agreed to a one-year extension of his contract. This deal was done because the Giants have a policy of not letting their coaches operate with only one year left on their contracts.
Sues to force release of emails
The Associated Press files a lawsuit against the U.S. State Department to force the release of email correspondence and government documents from Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State. The AP’s FOIA requests–and their lawsuit–are trying to uncover materials related to Clinton’s public and private calendars; correspondence with aides, especially the documents related to the decision to grant a longtime aide a special position within the department; and emails concerning the Osama bin Laden raid and National Security Agency surveillance practices.
After careful deliberation and exhausting our other options, The Associated Press is taking the necessary legal steps to gain access to these important documents, which will shed light on actions by the State Department and former Secretary Clinton, a presumptive 2016 presidential candidate, during some of the most significant issues of our time.
Receives prison sentence
Rush gets three to seven years in prison for killing Rocco. Rush declined to speak on his own behalf. His defense attorney also remained silent, and he didn’t call any witnesses. Only Rocco’s human partner testified.
I lost my partner from this. He was also a family member.
Copied Blurred Lines: $7.3m damages
The jury awards $7.3 million to Gaye’s family after deciding Williams and Thicke copied Blurred Lines from Gaye’s 1977 hit Got to Give It Up. Nona Gaye wept as the verdict was being read and was hugged by her attorney, Richard Busch, who had said Williams and Thicke were liars who went beyond trying to emulate the sound of Gaye’s late-1970s music and copied the song outright. The song has earned more than $5 million apiece for Thicke and Williams.
Boat note
Jurors are shown photographs of a blood-stained, hand-scrawled note written in pencil and speckled with bullet holes inside the boat Tsarnaev was captured in. Tsarnaev appears to decry U.S. actions in Muslim countries and says he is jealous of his brother because he is dead and now in paradise. Prosecutors consider the note a confession and say it refers to the motive for the attack.
I do not mourn because his soul is very much alive. God has a plan for each person. Mine was to hide in this boat and shed some light on our actions…The U.S. Government is killing our innocent civilians but most of you already know that. As a M (bullet hole) I can’t stand to see such evil go unpunished, we Muslims are one body, you hurt one you hurt us all…Now I don’t like killing innocent people it is forbidden in Islam but due to said (bullet hole) it is allowed.
During cross-examination of a bomb technician who investigated the scene, Tsarnaev’s lawyers established that all the bullet holes were from shots coming into the boat when police fired. The officer said no bombs, guns or weapons of any kind were found inside the boat.
Re-signs
McCourty re-signs with the Patriots. The deal is for five years and $47.5 million, with $28.5 million guaranteed.
I’m blessed to say we had other teams that were interested, but I said all along that I knew in my heart that I wanted to be back in New England. But I also knew the business side of football, and I had to do what I had to do. I’m back, but I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t possibilities over the last two days that I was going to be somewhere else. I’m happy it all worked out.
Suspension, probation, post-season ban
After a multiyear investigation into the university’s athletic programs, the NCAA suspends Boeheim for nine ACC games, takes away 12 men’s basketball scholarships, and orders that 108 of Boeheim’s wins must be vacated (during which ineligible players participated). Syracuse University is placed on five years of probation as well as two years of recruiting restrictions, and they must also vacate all wins by their football team during the 2004, 2005, and 2006 seasons. The violations involve academic misconduct; extra benefits; failure to follow the drug-testing policy; impermissible booster activity; impermissible academic assistance and services; Boeheim’s failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance and monitor his staff; and the school’s lack of control over its athletics program.
Over the course of a decade, Syracuse University did not control and monitor its athletics programs, and its head men’s basketball coach failed to monitor his program…Improper institutional involvement and influence in a student’s academic work in order to gain or maintain eligibility is a violation of NCAA rules and a violation of the most fundamental core values of the NCAA and higher education. The behavior in this case, which placed the desire to achieve success on the basketball court over academic integrity, demonstrated clearly misplaced institutional priorities.
Won’t be charged
After conducting a months-long investigation, the Delaware attorney general announces that Busch will not be charged over the alleged assault of his ex-girlfriend. This decision does not affect Busch’s NASCAR suspension.
I am grateful that the prosecutors in Delaware listened, carefully considered the evidence, and after a thorough investigation decided to not file criminal charges against me. I wish to thank my family, friends, fans, and race team who stood by me throughout this nightmare with their unwavering support.
Thanks also goes to my legal team for making sure that the truth got out and was fully provided to the prosecutors. As I have said from the beginning, I did not commit domestic abuse. I look forward to being back in racing as soon as possible and moving on with my life.
$60,000 speeding ticket
Kuisla receives a $60,000 speeding ticket after he was stopped by police for driving at 103 kph (64 mph) in a 80 kph (50 mph) zone. Since traffic fines in Finland are based on income, the police officer looked up Kuisla’s tax return and did some quick math before handing Kuisla the fine.
It is no wonder that many people considering [sic] moving out of here.
Doesn’t get death penalty
Arias is spared from the death penalty after the jury deadlocks over whether she should be executed or given a life-sentence. This is the second time a jury has been unable to reach a decision on her punishment. Arias’s sentence is up to the judge, who will either sentence her to life in prison or to a life term with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The victim’s siblings issued a statement:
[We] are saddened by the jury’s inability to reach a decision on the death penalty, however, we understand the difficulty of the decision, and have nothing but respect for the jury’s time.
$4M pay cut
Manning agrees to a new $15 million contract with the Broncos which cuts his salary by $4 million. The contract also requires Manning to pass a physical.
I don’t talk about my contract. I never have in 18 years and I’m not going to start now. I’ve been working real hard and I’m excited to be back with the Denver Broncos. Can’t wait for April 13 to get here when the team can finally come together. I’m excited to get to work and get to know the new coaches and looking forward to trying to make 2015 a special year.
Arrest
Griffith is arrested for criminal domestic violence after a dispute with his Teen Mom 2 co-star, Evans. The police report states that Griffith pinned Evans down and left a cut on her finger. He is released the next day.
Pleads guilty
Petraeus pleads guilty to one count of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material, a misdemeanor, for showing his mistress Broadwell eight “black book” binders of classified material that included identities of covert operatives overseas and notes on his discussions with President Obama. He is eligible for up to one year in prison, but prosecutors will recommend a sentence of probation for two years and a $40,000 fine.
Pleads guilty
In a plea deal with the Justice Department, Petraeus agrees to plead guilty to one count of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material. He could have spent up to one year in prison, but prosecutors will recommend a sentence of two years probation and a $40,000 fine.