Specifics of the sexual assault allegation made against Ben Roethlisberger by a 20-year-old college student in Georgia have not been disclosed. An Atlanta trial lawyer not connected with the case says details hold the key to possible criminal charges against the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.
"The real issue, and nobody knows precisely how to deal with this yet, is what exactly is she saying happened?" attorney Page Pate said Thursday.
Under Georgia law, sexual assault covers a range of offenses from rape -- with a minimum of 25 years imprisonment -- to sexual battery, described as making "physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of another person" without consent.
"If it's simply grabbing the breasts or some private area, then he's looking at a sexual battery charge," Pate said.
Pate said that charge is a misdemeanor: "The court would probably sentence (a defendant who was convicted or plead guilty) to maybe 60 days in jail and also require him to do some treatment and counseling and be monitored by a probation officer for the balance of the year."
Ed Garland, Roethlisberger's lead attorney, issued a statement this week saying there was no "criminal activity" and that the "truth of events" should end "without a criminal charge."
Garland declined comment Thursday.
Wednesday, KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh reported without naming the person or persons interviewed that Roethlisberger told Milledgeville, Ga., police the night of the alleged offense that there was no sexual intercourse.
KDKA's website reported, "Roethlisberger concedes that he did have contact with the woman that was not consummated and that afterward the woman slipped and fell, injuring her head."
The Steelers have issued a statement saying they continue to closely monitor the situation. The NFL is doing the same.
"We're following developments," league spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday.
SOURCE: USA Today
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