Sporting News staff reports
Below is the text of the letter sent by David F. Walbert, the attorney of the Ben Roethlisberger’s accuser, to Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright, indicating that the woman would not press charges.
March 17, 2010
Re: Benjamin Roethlisberger
Dear Mr. Bright:
As you know, we represent the complainant in the referenced matter, and it is about that that I write you at this time.
After a great deal of deliberation, our client has instructed us to advise you that she does not want to prosecute this matter further. While I am well aware that the prosecution decision rests with the district attorney, and not a complaining party, it is appropriate that you be aware of this fact as you make your decision.
What is obvious in looking forward is that a criminal trial would be a very intrusive personal experience for complainant in this situation, given the extraordinary media attention that would be inevitable. The media coverage to date, and the efforts of the media to access our client, have been unnerving, to say the least.
In short, no matter what the outcome of a criminal trial, our client has had sound professional advice since this incident that participating in a public trial would not at all be in her best interest as she goes forward with her life. That is a decision that we, as her attorneys, fully support. As should be clear from what I have said here, this decision does not reflect any recanting of our client’s complaint, but simply a realistic, personal decision as to what is in her best interests, and what it would be like to go through a trial with the expected media attention.
Please let us know if you need any further information.
With best regards, I remain very truly yours
David F. Walbert
Sporting News staff reports
Below is the text of the letter sent by David F. Walbert, the attorney of the Ben Roethlisberger’s accuser, to Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright, indicating that the woman would not press charges.
March 17, 2010
Re: Benjamin Roethlisberger
Dear Mr. Bright:
As you know, we represent the complainant in the referenced matter, and it is about that that I write you at this time.
After a great deal of deliberation, our client has instructed us to advise you that she does not want to prosecute this matter further. While I am well aware that the prosecution decision rests with the district attorney, and not a complaining party, it is appropriate that you be aware of this fact as you make your decision.
What is obvious in looking forward is that a criminal trial would be a very intrusive personal experience for complainant in this situation, given the extraordinary media attention that would be inevitable. The media coverage to date, and the efforts of the media to access our client, have been unnerving, to say the least.
In short, no matter what the outcome of a criminal trial, our client has had sound professional advice since this incident that participating in a public trial would not at all be in her best interest as she goes forward with her life. That is a decision that we, as her attorneys, fully support. As should be clear from what I have said here, this decision does not reflect any recanting of our client’s complaint, but simply a realistic, personal decision as to what is in her best interests, and what it would be like to go through a trial with the expected media attention.
Please let us know if you need any further information.
With best regards, I remain very truly yours
David F. Walbert