San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald was arrested in late August on suspected domestic violence, but it appears the prosecution is leaning toward not charging him, according to Tracey Kaplan of the San Jose Mercury News.
Ray McDonald is unlikely to be charged with domestic assault, per report
The 49ers have allowed McDonald to play all season while the legal system plays out, and it appears that may have been the right decision.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
McDonald was the first NFL player to be arrested after the league implemented a new domestic violence policy, stating that a player would receive a mandatory six-game suspension for the first offense. McDonald was not suspended by the NFL because of due process, and the 49ers decided to let him play unlike the Carolina Panthers, who put Greg Hardy on the exempt list following his domestic violence issue. The main difference was Hardy had been convicted, although the NFL did not suspend him originally.
McDonald had previously been entangled in a domestic dispute in May, though he appeared to be trying to keep the peace. In September, police were once again summoned to McDonald’s house, this time because it was broken into.
Another component to the August arrest was Sgt. Sean Pritchard, a San Jose police officer who also worked for the 49ers as security. Pritchard has established a relationship with McDonald, attending a party at his house that summer before the arrest. Pritchard was then called to the house on the night of the arrest and arrived, on duty, before 911 responders showed up.
Pritchard is currently banned from working with the 49ers until further notice.
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