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Ray Rice saga: NFL security chief Jeffrey Miller denies receiving punch video Ray Rice saga: NFL security chief Jeffrey Miller denies receiving punch video
(about 4 hours later)
The NFL security chief Jeffrey Miller has denied receiving a video of Ray Rice punching his fiancee inside a casino elevator, after a law enforcement official said it was sent directly to him in April.The NFL security chief Jeffrey Miller has denied receiving a video of Ray Rice punching his fiancee inside a casino elevator, after a law enforcement official said it was sent directly to him in April.
The NFL has repeatedly said no one with the league saw the violent images until TMZ Sports released the video earlier this month. Miller said on Thursday through an NFL spokesman that he never received the video.The NFL has repeatedly said no one with the league saw the violent images until TMZ Sports released the video earlier this month. Miller said on Thursday through an NFL spokesman that he never received the video.
The law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorised to release details of the case, said he didn’t know if Miller ever saw the DVD or opened the package. His only communication with the NFL was a 12-second voicemail on 9 April 9 from league offices confirming receipt of the package, in which a woman says, “You’re right. It’s terrible.” The law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorised to release details of the case, said he didn’t know if Miller ever saw the DVD or opened the package. His only communication with the NFL was a 12-second voicemail on 9 April from league offices confirming receipt of the package, in which a woman says, “You’re right. It’s terrible.”
The law enforcement official told Associated Press two weeks ago that he sent the video to the NFL, but asked AP not to report that he had addressed the package to Miller. He removed that restriction on Thursday.The law enforcement official told Associated Press two weeks ago that he sent the video to the NFL, but asked AP not to report that he had addressed the package to Miller. He removed that restriction on Thursday.
“Since the NFLPA and NFL have launched separate investigations into the league and the Ravens’ handling of Ray Rice’s case, I want to make a few things clear. No one from the NFL ever asked me for the inside-elevator video,” the official said. “I mailed it anonymously to Jeff Miller because he’s their head of security. I attached a note saying: ‘Ray Rice elevator video. You have to see it. It’s terrible.’ I provided a number for a disposable cellphone and asked for confirmation that it was received. I knew there was a possibility Mr Miller may not get the video, but I hoped it would land in the right hands.”“Since the NFLPA and NFL have launched separate investigations into the league and the Ravens’ handling of Ray Rice’s case, I want to make a few things clear. No one from the NFL ever asked me for the inside-elevator video,” the official said. “I mailed it anonymously to Jeff Miller because he’s their head of security. I attached a note saying: ‘Ray Rice elevator video. You have to see it. It’s terrible.’ I provided a number for a disposable cellphone and asked for confirmation that it was received. I knew there was a possibility Mr Miller may not get the video, but I hoped it would land in the right hands.”
Miller, who is in London preparing for Sunday’s Raiders-Dolphins game, issued a statement to AP on Thursday night through an NFL spokesman.Miller, who is in London preparing for Sunday’s Raiders-Dolphins game, issued a statement to AP on Thursday night through an NFL spokesman.
“I unequivocally deny that I received at any time a copy of the video, and I had not watched it until it was made public on September 8,” he said.“I unequivocally deny that I received at any time a copy of the video, and I had not watched it until it was made public on September 8,” he said.
It remains unclear what happened to the video once it arrived at NFL offices. There are two NFL executives named Jeffrey Miller, but the law enforcement official insisted the video was addressed to the chief of security. The official said he wanted to make sure the NFL had the video before deciding on Rice’s punishment.It remains unclear what happened to the video once it arrived at NFL offices. There are two NFL executives named Jeffrey Miller, but the law enforcement official insisted the video was addressed to the chief of security. The official said he wanted to make sure the NFL had the video before deciding on Rice’s punishment.
“My intention wasn’t to bring down commissioner [Roger] Goodell or anyone else at the NFL,” he said.“My intention wasn’t to bring down commissioner [Roger] Goodell or anyone else at the NFL,” he said.
He said he didn’t know the identity of the woman who left him the voicemail. He said he chose Miller because of his law enforcement background, even though he didn’t know him personally.He said he didn’t know the identity of the woman who left him the voicemail. He said he chose Miller because of his law enforcement background, even though he didn’t know him personally.
Rice, a running back for the Baltimore Ravens, was arrested in Atlantic City on an assault charge for hitting Janay Palmer in February. A police summons stated that Rice had struck Palmer with his hand, knocking her unconscious. Rice has been accepted into New Jersey’s pretrial intervention program, which enabled him to avoid jail time and could result in having the charge expunged from his record.Rice, a running back for the Baltimore Ravens, was arrested in Atlantic City on an assault charge for hitting Janay Palmer in February. A police summons stated that Rice had struck Palmer with his hand, knocking her unconscious. Rice has been accepted into New Jersey’s pretrial intervention program, which enabled him to avoid jail time and could result in having the charge expunged from his record.
Initially, Goodell suspended Rice (who has since married Palmer) for two games. After criticism, Goodell announced new stiffer penalties for future domestic violence cases. After video of the punch in the casino elevator was released, the Ravens cut Rice and Goodell suspended him indefinitely.Initially, Goodell suspended Rice (who has since married Palmer) for two games. After criticism, Goodell announced new stiffer penalties for future domestic violence cases. After video of the punch in the casino elevator was released, the Ravens cut Rice and Goodell suspended him indefinitely.
League and Ravens officials said they requested the video from law enforcement but were denied. ESPN and others have reported that the Ravens had a detailed description of the video shortly after Rice was arrested.League and Ravens officials said they requested the video from law enforcement but were denied. ESPN and others have reported that the Ravens had a detailed description of the video shortly after Rice was arrested.
After AP reported that the video was sent to NFL headquarters, Goodell announced that former FBI director Robert Mueller would lead an internal investigation. That is under way, with no timetable for its completion.After AP reported that the video was sent to NFL headquarters, Goodell announced that former FBI director Robert Mueller would lead an internal investigation. That is under way, with no timetable for its completion.
The law enforcement official said he did not want to speak to NFL investigators, and Mueller, who is now in private practice with a Washington law firm with deep ties to the NFL, has no subpoena power.The law enforcement official said he did not want to speak to NFL investigators, and Mueller, who is now in private practice with a Washington law firm with deep ties to the NFL, has no subpoena power.
“I know nothing else about this case,” the official said.“I know nothing else about this case,” the official said.
Former FBI chief of staff Aaron Zebley, who is working with Mueller on the investigation, didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.Former FBI chief of staff Aaron Zebley, who is working with Mueller on the investigation, didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.