Lost in the much-hyped announcement that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won’t face charges for sexual assault is the fact that, as District Attorney Fred Bright said Monday, the alleged victim’s lawyer told Bright on March 17 that she no longer wished to pursue the matter.
Bright said he met with the alleged victim and her family 10 days ago, and they confirmed that they did not want to pursue the matter.
So why the dog and pony show? This one is a no brainer. If the victim doesn’t want to proceed, it would be even harder for Bright and company to get a conviction.
And the outcome leaves open the door that Roethlisberger’s lawyers quickly and quietly settled the claim in the days between March 5 and March 17. We’re not saying that it occurred this way, but this is the way it would go down if a secret and confidential payment had been made.