So far, its appears that independent investigator Ted Wells has true independence.
With Dolphins owner Stephen Ross planning to meet with Dolphins tackle Jonathan Martin on Wednesday and Martin planning to be interviewed by Wells on Friday, Wells has done what a truly independent investigator should have done: He asked the Dolphins to stand down.
“Ted Wells and the NFL have asked that we delay our meeting with Jonathan Martin, until they have the opportunity to meet with him first,” Dolphins president and CEO Tom Garfinkel tells PFT. “Out of deference to the process, we will cooperate with their request.
“We look forward to meeting with Jonathan Martin as soon as possible.”
It’s a smart move for all concerned. As Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald explained it during Tuesday’s PFT Live, Ross wants to find out what happened. Conducting the interview of Martin before Martin is interviewed by Wells potentially undermines the independent investigation.
It’s unclear when the Dolphins will meet with Martin. Given that Wells may need to meet a second time (or more) with Martin, the most prudent course would be to defer any meeting with Martin until Wells has completed that fact-gathering phase of his investigation.