ESPN Dallas Columnists Calvin Watkins and Todd Archer on more legal woes for The Dallas Cowboys as C.J. Spillman (Dallas Cowboys DB) is under investigation for Sexual Assault claim

ESPN columnists Calvin Watkins and Todd Archer broke the story today on an investigation underway  by Grapevine, Texas police. Barry Bowling, Grapvine Police spokesperson, stated that a report was filed on September 20th where C.J. Spillman is under investigation but made clear that Spillman hasn't been charged or arrested. Additionally, Spillman is said to be fully cooperating with the investigation. The incident involves C.J Spillman whom alledgedly sexually assaulted an individual, who's identity has yet to be released, at the Gaylord Hotel. Cowboys players and personnell stay at the Gaylord hotel until suitable apartments are found which was the case with Spillman.

Attorney for the unknown client is Gloria Allred whom has been in communication with Jeff Pash, Executive Vice President of the NFL, since last week. At that time she had named no players or an organization as of yet. While Pash invited the Allred's client to an interview, he made it clear that he wanted the interview be done with NFL investigators and on a 'confidential' basis. Pash is apparently nervous about the type of interview, due to the story being leaked earlier in the week, as he made a comment on the subject:

 "The fact that you chose to make public your requests to interview our client confidentially causes us concern about whether the interview itself would be kept confidential or tweeted out by you as you did with your letter to me," (Referring to an Allred letter to Jeff Pash)"However, I am willing to meet with you to discuss your request and also to learn the answers to our important questions posed in my original letter to you (which was not shared with the press)."

Jason Garret, Dallas Cowboys Head Coach, has become more vocal on the issue of off-field behavior and domestic violence also. Earlier in the week he made remarks on the hot button issues:

 "Again, part of what our jobs are as coaches is to create the right environment for our players to function both on and off the field. So we need to be clear about where we are, we need to be clear that we have a structure in place to help anybody who has any off-the-field issues. Me as a coach, position coaches, player programs, departments, we have a lot of resources here to help guys. So that was the first message -- if you're dealing with anything off the field and we can help with, we're here for you. Having said that, there is standards that we have about all off the field behavior and certainly domestic violence applies to that. We're just very clear with how we're going to handle things."

In ironically bad timing Dallas Cowboys news, Josh Brent (Dallas Cowboys Defensive Tackle) has returned to the team this week. Brent was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter, an incident which lead to the death of Brent's best friend and practice squad player, Jerry Brown. Brent will not be able to play until the 10th week but has been allowed to begin working out with the Cowboys in the meantime.

References:

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/11626036/cj-spillman-dallas-cowboys-faces-sexual-assault-allegation

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2014/10/grapevine-police-investigating-alleged-sexual-assault-involving-cowboys-player.html/

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

C.J. Spillman Sexual Assault Claim: Mike Morbeck

Jeff Pash Vice President of NFL: Brian Cushing High School

Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett: Rondo Estrello

Jerry Brown RIP: howdygram.blogspot.com

Josh Brent Intoxication Manslaugther: Michael Mulvey / AP

Lawsuit against Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones could have no ruling due Jones' legal defense citing the expiration of statute of limitations, and not the validity of sexual assault charges

A report done by the Associated Press today has it that Ms. Jana Weckerly alleges an incident in 2009 at a dalls hotel in which Jerry Jones (Owner of Cowboys) groped and forced her to do things she did not want her to do. She claims that Jones had grabbed her genitals and was kissing her without consent.  Another claim is that Jerry Jones, the Cowboys and attorney for Jerry Jones, Levi McCathern have attempted to pay her hush money for the last four years. Weckerly stated that she can provide proof that the payments occured from her bank records via her bank account receiving payments from Jones, though no proof was provided as of yet.   She is also making the claim that the Cowboys organization, Jerry Jones and a long standing lawyer for Jones were involved in stealing her cell phone's memory card in order to leak and upload possible embarrasing or detrimental photos to hinder her case. Jones, the Cowboys and McCathern have denied any and all allegations made thus far.

ESPN's Cowboys reporter Todd Archer clarifies that the media stir about the story began to rise during the beginning of training camp. During Cowboys training camp sessions there were pictures released with friends of Weckerly who were seen in the company of Jones, which started a heap of new stories and went viral. Apparently the Cowboys organization has known about the photos of the incident for some time. The organization was also briefed on the lawsuit last week that could potentially be coming. Levi McCathern states they will be taking legal action of their own. The new

legal proceedings that have now formed may not hold due to the statue of limitations of either civil case regarding sexual assault or a case of civil conspiracy which both have already passed/expired at five and two years respectively.

Weckerly's attorney, Thomas Bowden, states that alleged payments to Ms. Weckerly were a plot to intimidate her from going to the police or the courts for a solution before the statutes of limitations had expired. Bowden also stated during the proceedings "Who is my client to go against a billion-dollar man?...She just did what she was told, judge." Jones' lawyer, McCathern, during the early legal proceedings made the argument that there was no hush money given and even if there was, it wouldn't constitute 'being under duress' for not filing the lawsuit before the statue of limitations had ended. McCathern made a statement in response stating that this  is "nothing more than attempt to embarrasess and extort the Cowboy's owner". A police statement regarding the event from Dallas police spokesman claimed that he could not confirm whether or not the assault was reported. The lawsuit is also short on details as no location of the event nor the date were listed or specified. More light will be shed and certainly more news cameras as the next hearing will take place on October 16th, where Ms. Weckerly will be seeking recompense for damages at over one million dollars.

References:
http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/11594094/attorneys-dallas-cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-argue-assault-claim-filed-too-late

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/11584093/accuser-alleges-jerry-jones-dallas-cowboys-paid-silence

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Jerry Jones (Top): Hail Merry

Jerry Jones (Bottom): Algorhythm Labs