MAYS LANDING, N.J. — Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice pleaded not guilty Thursday to assault charges stemming from an incident with his then-girlfriend in an Atlantic City casino elevator. His lawyer said Rice is “ashamed” and “sorry” about his conduct but would not specify exactly what Rice did.
After the five-minute court hearing, Rice applied for New Jersey’s pretrial intervention program, which allows for charges to be dismissed against first-time offenders who participate in the program and meet certain conditions. The county prosecutor will decide whether Rice is allowed to enter the program.
If not, prosecutors have offered Rice a plea bargain that would spare him jail time if he participates in anger management counseling.
“He’s ashamed of his conduct and he’s sorry for what he did,” attorney Michael Diamondstein told reporters outside the courthouse.
“There was a disagreement between him and his wife,” Diamondstein said. “He made a mistake. He loves Janay and wants to move forward. This was a momentary lapse of reason.”
Security video obtained by TMZ Sports shows Rice removing the motionless body of Janay Palmer from an elevator at Revel Hotel Casino on Feb. 15. She did not comment as the two walked into the courthouse.
The couple married a day after Rice was indicted.
If convicted, Rice could face three to five years in prison.
