Introduction to the Case
Prosecutors in Broward County, Florida, have decided not to pursue charges against Miami Dolphins assistant coach Ryan Crow, who was arrested and accused of battering his girlfriend in August. Crow, 37, has been on indefinite leave from his role as outside linebackers coach for the Dolphins after being arrested on Aug. 28 on one count of misdemeanor domestic battery.
Details of the Incident
The arrest followed an argument with his live-in girlfriend, during which he allegedly shoved her, tried to slap her, and appeared to lift her off the ground, according to an arrest report and statements from witnesses contained in a prosecutor’s memo. The altercation stemmed from an argument between the pair after returning home from a Dolphins’ work party. When the woman spoke with police that night, she told them that Crow had pushed her down stairs. Crow denied touching her when he spoke to police, stating their argument was only verbal, the memo said.
Investigation and Evidence
Police also spoke with three witnesses and reviewed police reports, body-camera videos, and video surveillance from the building. In a closeout memo Wednesday, prosecutors wrote that the victim was uncooperative in the case and was adamant about not wanting charges filed. Prosecutors added they could not pursue the case without cooperation from the victim, because neither the witness accounts nor video surveillance clearly established that a battery occurred. “Although the witnesses interpreted the victim’s need for help based upon their observations, the victim never said anything to them,” the memo said, “and these facts would not meet the legal threshold required for any of the witnesses to be permitted to testify in a court of law as to the victim’s state of mind.”
Reaction from Crow’s Lawyer and the Team
“They found that there’s no reasonable likelihood of conviction,” Crow’s lawyer, Michael Gottlieb, told The Associated Press. “I’m glad that coach Crow is being exonerated and that the charges are being dropped.” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that there would be no immediate change in Crow’s status with the team. “We won’t even bridge that until the league is done with their process,” McDaniel said. Crow is in his second season coaching Miami’s outside linebackers. He held the same position with the Tennessee Titans the three prior years. Defensive assistant Sean Ryan has led the unit in his place.
Conclusion
The decision not to pursue charges against Ryan Crow brings a close to the legal aspect of the case but leaves the future of his role with the Miami Dolphins uncertain. As the team and the league continue their internal processes, Crow remains on leave, awaiting a decision on his future with the team.
FAQs
- Q: What were the charges against Ryan Crow?
A: Ryan Crow was charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery. - Q: Why did prosecutors decide not to pursue the case?
A: Prosecutors decided not to pursue the case because the victim was uncooperative and did not want charges filed, and there was not enough evidence from witness accounts or video surveillance to clearly establish that a battery occurred. - Q: What is the current status of Ryan Crow with the Miami Dolphins?
A: Ryan Crow remains on indefinite leave from his role as outside linebackers coach for the Dolphins, awaiting a decision on his future with the team. - Q: Who has been leading the outside linebackers unit in Crow’s place?
A: Defensive assistant Sean Ryan has been leading the unit in Crow’s place. - Q: What is the next step for Ryan Crow and the Miami Dolphins?
A: The team and the league will continue their internal processes to decide on Crow’s future with the team.
