Doesn’t anyone in the world of “journalism” use the word “alleged” anymore?

While ESPN is picking up articles from the AP which do not include statements from Rutherford’s attorney, our local newspapers did.

Clearly there are two sides to every story. In this instance, the national media is only bothering to report what the alleged victim is claiming.

RR admits that he smashed out the window of a car that contained three women, two of which he went to HS with. The “victim”, according to RR, threw a glass at RR after he exchanged phone numbers with her, then paid a little too much attention to his former classmate. It was in response to the glass being hurled at RR that he used his forearm to break the car window.
His attorney insists he has a wound on his forearm that is consistent with this version, not the version which alleges he used his foot to kick out the window. According to RR’s lawyer, Jim Wymard, the indecent assault allegation is not in the original police report.

If witnesses can verify RR’s side of the story, perhaps the veracity of this victim will not hold up in court.

As someone who has personally represented unnamed Pitt athletes in court, I can tell you that “victims” often have dollar signs in their eyes when talking settlement, even if the athlete in question has yet to sign a pro contract. Perhaps this alleged victim demanded more money that RR’s family was able to produce? Hell, the kid did grow up in Northview Heights, which is a low income public housing community on Pittsburgh’s North Side. I wonder if that will ever be reported in the papers.