First-round prospect CB Gareon Conley faces sexual assault allegation/Raiders take a chance on him
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Suing her for defamation is likely a waste of money for him. If she's broke or near broke, he'll spend far more suing her than he'll recover. The state can charge her with a crime if she made it up, but it's doubtful that it would come with a serious sentence.
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- #44
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/04/26/gareon-conley-nfl-draft-assault-allegations
by Peter King
T-minus one day to the NFL draft and counting. And we might have a La’el Collins situation on our hands. Police in Ohio are investigating whether first-round-lock cornerback Gareon Conley of Ohio State—who I had going 14th overall to Philadelphia before the news of the investigation broke Tuesday—was involved in a sexual assault earlier this month in Cleveland.
In 2015, Collins, a first-round guard prospect from LSU, was slated to be interviewed by the Louisiana state police after the draft in connection with the shooting death of a woman Collins once dated. Even though he was not considered a suspect in the case, NFL teams were scared off by the crime, and Collins went undrafted.
Similarly, Conley will have a very hard time proving his absolute innocence in the next 36 hours. And if he cannot, I would expect his stock to plummet as well. How much, no one knows. But the climate in the NFL right now is such that someone accused of sexual assault would be undraftable by many teams in the league.
I texted Tuesday night with two NFL executives who are key players in their teams’ draft plans. Both said Conley had a spotless record in their pre-draft research. One seemed on the verge of saying he couldn’t see his team drafting Conley, but stopped short. The other, on a team with legitimate Conley interest, said it was too early to tell. Good for them for not jumping to conclusions.
Gareon Conley was a two-year starter at Ohio State and is widely considered to be one of the top cornerbacks available in the 2017 draft
Photo: Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
I’ve read the police report of the incident, in which a 23-year-old woman claimed that a male she identified as Conley had sex with her without her permission in a room of the Westin Hotel in Cleveland on April 9. She was transported to a hospital, where a rape kit exam was administered.
The Cleveland Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit is investigating and had no further comment. It’s unlikely the case will reach any sort of conclusion this week. That makes it pretty hard for a team wanting to know if Conley is going to be charged with a sex crime to draft him without that knowledge.
Collins ended up signing as a free agent with Dallas. He’s slated to start at left guard on probably the best offensive line in football. If Conley’s stock plummets the way Collins’ did, it could cost him in the range of $10 million.
I projected Conley to be the 14th player picked on Thursday, Last year’s 14th pick, safety Karl Joseph, signed a four-year, $11.6-million contract with Oakland. Collins, as a prime undrafted free agent with a very different back story, signed for three years and $1.6 million.
We’ll see what Thursday night brings. But this will be the story of the first round, and maybe the first several rounds. Will any team risk the public wrath and draft currency on a player who may be involved in a sexual assault investigation after the draft?
by Peter King
T-minus one day to the NFL draft and counting. And we might have a La’el Collins situation on our hands. Police in Ohio are investigating whether first-round-lock cornerback Gareon Conley of Ohio State—who I had going 14th overall to Philadelphia before the news of the investigation broke Tuesday—was involved in a sexual assault earlier this month in Cleveland.
In 2015, Collins, a first-round guard prospect from LSU, was slated to be interviewed by the Louisiana state police after the draft in connection with the shooting death of a woman Collins once dated. Even though he was not considered a suspect in the case, NFL teams were scared off by the crime, and Collins went undrafted.
Similarly, Conley will have a very hard time proving his absolute innocence in the next 36 hours. And if he cannot, I would expect his stock to plummet as well. How much, no one knows. But the climate in the NFL right now is such that someone accused of sexual assault would be undraftable by many teams in the league.
I texted Tuesday night with two NFL executives who are key players in their teams’ draft plans. Both said Conley had a spotless record in their pre-draft research. One seemed on the verge of saying he couldn’t see his team drafting Conley, but stopped short. The other, on a team with legitimate Conley interest, said it was too early to tell. Good for them for not jumping to conclusions.
Gareon Conley was a two-year starter at Ohio State and is widely considered to be one of the top cornerbacks available in the 2017 draft
Photo: Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
I’ve read the police report of the incident, in which a 23-year-old woman claimed that a male she identified as Conley had sex with her without her permission in a room of the Westin Hotel in Cleveland on April 9. She was transported to a hospital, where a rape kit exam was administered.
The Cleveland Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit is investigating and had no further comment. It’s unlikely the case will reach any sort of conclusion this week. That makes it pretty hard for a team wanting to know if Conley is going to be charged with a sex crime to draft him without that knowledge.
Collins ended up signing as a free agent with Dallas. He’s slated to start at left guard on probably the best offensive line in football. If Conley’s stock plummets the way Collins’ did, it could cost him in the range of $10 million.
I projected Conley to be the 14th player picked on Thursday, Last year’s 14th pick, safety Karl Joseph, signed a four-year, $11.6-million contract with Oakland. Collins, as a prime undrafted free agent with a very different back story, signed for three years and $1.6 million.
We’ll see what Thursday night brings. But this will be the story of the first round, and maybe the first several rounds. Will any team risk the public wrath and draft currency on a player who may be involved in a sexual assault investigation after the draft?
THATS WHY YOU DONT GO OUT TO THE BAR IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING AND OUT DRINKING. That attitude is what caused this.
Unfortunately since so many District Attorneys and Judges are elected, they want to make a big splash to let everybody know that they are "taking care of crime".
Sad when you think of all the ruined reputations, years and years in jail and people even executed for crimes they didn't commit.
And with the internet, even being charged for something leaves that info out there for a long time even if you're not convicted it can ruin your life and prevent you from getting good jobs, etc.
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- #47
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ls-allegations-untrue-wrongful-and-malicious/
Gareon Conley calls allegations “untrue, wrongful, and malicious”
Posted by Mike Florio on April 26, 2017
Getty Images
Former Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley, who faces a rape accusation only one day before the draft, has responded with a strongly-worded statement reiterating the denial previously articulated by his lawyer.
The six-paragraph statement comes under the headline “Statement of Gareon Conley Regarding Untrue, wrongful, and Malicious Allegations.” It reads as follows, in full:
“The allegations against me concerning the night of April 8/9 that have recently been reported in multiple media outlets are completely false. I did not commit a crime and have not been charged with a crime.
“I pride myself on doing things the right way on and off the field. The things being said about me and what happened that night are not true and don’t fit my character at all. I realize that I put himself in the situation and I could have used better judgment.
However, I have worked tirelessly to put myself in position to have the honor of being an NFL draft pick and these untrue allegations are putting a huge cloud over my name and the NFL Draft.
“These allegations appear to be an attempt to ruin this once-in-a-lifetime experience for me and my family. There were several witnesses including another female, who were present the entire time and have given statements that give an accurate account of what took place.
I am upset but realize that I am powerless when false accusations are made and people try to convict you in the court of public opinion. It’s sad that your neighbor can get dragged through the mud based upon untrue and malicious allegations alone.
“I am completely confident that as the facts actually come out my name will be cleared.
“I was excited about participating in Thursday’s draft but I have decided it would be selfish of me to stay and be a distraction to the NFL, the other players, and their families who have worked just as hard as me to enjoy the experience so I will not be in attendance.
“I hope and look forward to the honor of being an NFL player and working to be the best representative, player, person, and teammate I can be for the team and the community I will be in.
Gareon Conley calls allegations “untrue, wrongful, and malicious”
Posted by Mike Florio on April 26, 2017
Former Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley, who faces a rape accusation only one day before the draft, has responded with a strongly-worded statement reiterating the denial previously articulated by his lawyer.
The six-paragraph statement comes under the headline “Statement of Gareon Conley Regarding Untrue, wrongful, and Malicious Allegations.” It reads as follows, in full:
“The allegations against me concerning the night of April 8/9 that have recently been reported in multiple media outlets are completely false. I did not commit a crime and have not been charged with a crime.
“I pride myself on doing things the right way on and off the field. The things being said about me and what happened that night are not true and don’t fit my character at all. I realize that I put himself in the situation and I could have used better judgment.
However, I have worked tirelessly to put myself in position to have the honor of being an NFL draft pick and these untrue allegations are putting a huge cloud over my name and the NFL Draft.
“These allegations appear to be an attempt to ruin this once-in-a-lifetime experience for me and my family. There were several witnesses including another female, who were present the entire time and have given statements that give an accurate account of what took place.
I am upset but realize that I am powerless when false accusations are made and people try to convict you in the court of public opinion. It’s sad that your neighbor can get dragged through the mud based upon untrue and malicious allegations alone.
“I am completely confident that as the facts actually come out my name will be cleared.
“I was excited about participating in Thursday’s draft but I have decided it would be selfish of me to stay and be a distraction to the NFL, the other players, and their families who have worked just as hard as me to enjoy the experience so I will not be in attendance.
“I hope and look forward to the honor of being an NFL player and working to be the best representative, player, person, and teammate I can be for the team and the community I will be in.
According to the report, the accuser says she met Conley in an elevator and he asked her to have a foursome with another friend of his. The woman says she declined and offered to watch the other people have sex instead.
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- #49
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...or-gareon-conley-being-picked-in-round-three/
Buzz builds for Gareon Conley being picked in round three
Posted by Mike Florio on April 26, 2017
Getty Images
No one currently expects Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley to be selected in round one, given a rape allegation that likely won’t be resolved in his favor by Thursday night. Currently, the thinking is that someone will take a flier on him before the conclusion of Friday night’s proceedings.
Per a league source, the current buzz has Conley going at some point before the end of the third round.
The risk is obvious; Conley could be charged, prosecuted, and ultimately convicted of a first-degree felony. But he also could be exonerated, either by the alleged victim not pursuing the case or prosecutors deciding based on the witness testimony from the hotel room where the rape allegedly occurred that Conley would be able to establish sufficient reasonable doubt to make a trial a losing proposition.
At some point as the seven rounds unfold, the potential reward will outweigh the risk. The current thinking is that this will happen at some point before the end of round three.
If he’s guilty, he shouldn’t be drafted at all. If he’s innocent, his draft stock shouldn’t be affected at all. His current draft stock reflects the reality that few know exactly what happened in that Cleveland hotel room and, for now, no one knows what will happen moving forward.
Buzz builds for Gareon Conley being picked in round three
Posted by Mike Florio on April 26, 2017
No one currently expects Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley to be selected in round one, given a rape allegation that likely won’t be resolved in his favor by Thursday night. Currently, the thinking is that someone will take a flier on him before the conclusion of Friday night’s proceedings.
Per a league source, the current buzz has Conley going at some point before the end of the third round.
The risk is obvious; Conley could be charged, prosecuted, and ultimately convicted of a first-degree felony. But he also could be exonerated, either by the alleged victim not pursuing the case or prosecutors deciding based on the witness testimony from the hotel room where the rape allegedly occurred that Conley would be able to establish sufficient reasonable doubt to make a trial a losing proposition.
At some point as the seven rounds unfold, the potential reward will outweigh the risk. The current thinking is that this will happen at some point before the end of round three.
If he’s guilty, he shouldn’t be drafted at all. If he’s innocent, his draft stock shouldn’t be affected at all. His current draft stock reflects the reality that few know exactly what happened in that Cleveland hotel room and, for now, no one knows what will happen moving forward.
It's difficult for me to picture this crime occurring. Obviously nobody can say definitively but the combination of no recovered DNA, multiple witnesses attesting to Conley's actions, and the camera footage makes me trust him enough that I would strongly consider drafting him at 37. Add in the timing leading up to the draft and it just seems too suspicious.
yeah. Anyone who knows me or follows my posts knows that I'm a strong victim's advocate and really hammer on the "rape culture" issue.
That said... nothing about this story seems plausible. I just don't buy it.
Out of the blue proposition to be in a foursome and she says no. BUT... she's willing to enter a room of people she's never met and doesn't know and consensually watch sexual acts take place?
What????
Here's the deal.
I would happily draft him and tell fans that he was drafted based on their extensive research.
IF...IF...IF his DNA is in the rape kit, dump him. He'll be in jail anyway.
I'm sure the young man's agent will be speaking with EVERY team.
Waiting until the third round is bullcrap. Either you think he's guilty, in which don't draft him, or you think he's innocent, in which case the NFL is colluding to get a first rounder in the third round because...some person likely lied about him.
Clearly, the young man is beginning to understand that he's going to have to tighten up his life.
Just imagine if the woman was 17 and made these allegations...
That said... nothing about this story seems plausible. I just don't buy it.
Out of the blue proposition to be in a foursome and she says no. BUT... she's willing to enter a room of people she's never met and doesn't know and consensually watch sexual acts take place?
What????
Here's the deal.
I would happily draft him and tell fans that he was drafted based on their extensive research.
IF...IF...IF his DNA is in the rape kit, dump him. He'll be in jail anyway.
I'm sure the young man's agent will be speaking with EVERY team.
Waiting until the third round is bullcrap. Either you think he's guilty, in which don't draft him, or you think he's innocent, in which case the NFL is colluding to get a first rounder in the third round because...some person likely lied about him.
Clearly, the young man is beginning to understand that he's going to have to tighten up his life.
Just imagine if the woman was 17 and made these allegations...
I would draft this dude happily at 37 and not look back. But he's not going to slide because teams aren't stupid enough to hear that storyline of what happened and not see through it.
I read this and was like "We don't have pick 60, unless it's news I haven't heard?" then I realized you're the cowboy...
NateDawg122
Pro Bowler
I was banging the table for the Rams to take Collins last year, especially once he dropped past the 5th. Our O- line would be a ton better right now if they had. If they dig deep and it looks like Conley is innocent I'd take him, especially in the 3rd.
I'd grab him in the 3rd too. I remember Collins agent told teams he would hold out if they drafted him, that's probably the real reason why we didn't draft him
12intheBox
Legend
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- #59
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/04/27/at-24-raiders-take-a-chance-on-gareon-conley/
At 24, Raiders take a chance on Gareon Conley
Posted by Michael David Smith on April 27, 2017
Getty Images
In perhaps the biggest surprise of the first round of the NFL draft, the Raiders have selected Gareon Conley, the Ohio State cornerback who came under intense scrutiny this week when he was named as a suspect in a sexual assault investigation.
Until his name surfaced in the police investigation, Conley was expected to be a high first-round pick. As it turned out, Conley wasn’t a high first-round pick, but he was a first-round pick, with the Raiders taking him at No. 24.
Obviously, the Raiders have to be confident that Conley will be cleared. Conley has professed his innocence and insisted that he has multiple witnesses who can testify that he was never alone with his accuser on the night in question.
Conley is an undeniably talented football player. The Raiders also believe they can trust him to be clean off the field.
At 24, Raiders take a chance on Gareon Conley
Posted by Michael David Smith on April 27, 2017
In perhaps the biggest surprise of the first round of the NFL draft, the Raiders have selected Gareon Conley, the Ohio State cornerback who came under intense scrutiny this week when he was named as a suspect in a sexual assault investigation.
Until his name surfaced in the police investigation, Conley was expected to be a high first-round pick. As it turned out, Conley wasn’t a high first-round pick, but he was a first-round pick, with the Raiders taking him at No. 24.
Obviously, the Raiders have to be confident that Conley will be cleared. Conley has professed his innocence and insisted that he has multiple witnesses who can testify that he was never alone with his accuser on the night in question.
Conley is an undeniably talented football player. The Raiders also believe they can trust him to be clean off the field.
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- #60
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ll-be-charged-despite-passing-polygraph-test/
Gareon Conley could still be charged, despite passing polygraph test
Posted by Mike Florio on April 28, 2017
The Raiders decided to take a risk by drafting cornerback Gareon Conley. But it definitely was a risk, given the uncertainty of his legal situation in Cleveland.
Yes, Conley passed a polygraph test, which per multiple reports was imposed by the Ravens. (And that creates a separate potential can of worms that will be addressed in a separate post.) So why didn’t the Ravens pick Conley at No. 16 if, as reported, he passed it?
Whether Conley can pass a polygraph test (which remains inadmissible in a court of law because it’s not a reliable indicator of truth telling) isn’t relevant to whether he gets charged. Indeed, whether Conley is telling the truth and whether the evidence would permit a zealous prosecutor in Cleveland to indict Conley are two different issues.
Conley could still be indicted; the Ravens realize that, and the Raiders surely do, too. As the saying goes, a grand jury could indict a ham sandwich. That’s because the process entails a one-sided introduction of evidence, with the defendant having no representation. It’s also easy to indict because the legal standard for doing so is much lower than the standard required for a conviction.
To get an indictment, the prosecutor merely must convince the grand jury that probable cause exists to believe a crime was committed. Combining that with the fact that the defendant has no one arguing the opposite position makes its ridiculously easy to get an indictment.
People think that, in any community, a judge has the most power within the confines of the justice system. The truth is that the prosecutor does. The prosecutor decides who gets charged, who doesn’t get charged, and what they get charged with.
If the prosecutor in Cleveland subjectively decides that the alleged victim is telling the truth and/or that the defendant isn’t — or if the prosecutor simply decides that the prosecutor wants to turn the defendant’s life upside down for any reason at all, an indictment can be obtained.
The prosecutor’s discretion is really broad. Really, really broad. In nearly any case where a prosecutor wants to get an indictment, an indictment will be gotten.
There are two key facts that could significantly influence that decision-making process. The alleged victim has had a rape kit administered, and Conley has agreed to provide a DNA sample.
Given that Conley’s front-line defense (based on the information provided by the witnesses in the hotel room) is that nothing happened between Conley and the alleged victim, a match between the rape kit and the indictment could be the thing that prompts the prosecutor to seek an indictment, and in turn that results in the indictment being obtained.
Gareon Conley could still be charged, despite passing polygraph test
Posted by Mike Florio on April 28, 2017
The Raiders decided to take a risk by drafting cornerback Gareon Conley. But it definitely was a risk, given the uncertainty of his legal situation in Cleveland.
Yes, Conley passed a polygraph test, which per multiple reports was imposed by the Ravens. (And that creates a separate potential can of worms that will be addressed in a separate post.) So why didn’t the Ravens pick Conley at No. 16 if, as reported, he passed it?
Whether Conley can pass a polygraph test (which remains inadmissible in a court of law because it’s not a reliable indicator of truth telling) isn’t relevant to whether he gets charged. Indeed, whether Conley is telling the truth and whether the evidence would permit a zealous prosecutor in Cleveland to indict Conley are two different issues.
Conley could still be indicted; the Ravens realize that, and the Raiders surely do, too. As the saying goes, a grand jury could indict a ham sandwich. That’s because the process entails a one-sided introduction of evidence, with the defendant having no representation. It’s also easy to indict because the legal standard for doing so is much lower than the standard required for a conviction.
To get an indictment, the prosecutor merely must convince the grand jury that probable cause exists to believe a crime was committed. Combining that with the fact that the defendant has no one arguing the opposite position makes its ridiculously easy to get an indictment.
People think that, in any community, a judge has the most power within the confines of the justice system. The truth is that the prosecutor does. The prosecutor decides who gets charged, who doesn’t get charged, and what they get charged with.
If the prosecutor in Cleveland subjectively decides that the alleged victim is telling the truth and/or that the defendant isn’t — or if the prosecutor simply decides that the prosecutor wants to turn the defendant’s life upside down for any reason at all, an indictment can be obtained.
The prosecutor’s discretion is really broad. Really, really broad. In nearly any case where a prosecutor wants to get an indictment, an indictment will be gotten.
There are two key facts that could significantly influence that decision-making process. The alleged victim has had a rape kit administered, and Conley has agreed to provide a DNA sample.
Given that Conley’s front-line defense (based on the information provided by the witnesses in the hotel room) is that nothing happened between Conley and the alleged victim, a match between the rape kit and the indictment could be the thing that prompts the prosecutor to seek an indictment, and in turn that results in the indictment being obtained.