Indianapolis Colts linebacker Josh McNary was charged with felony counts of rape and criminal confinement along with a misdemeanor charge of battery resulting in a bodily injury Wednesday. On Thursday morning, McNary denied the charges through his attorney, Edward F. Schrager, per the Indianapolis Star:
Colts LB Josh McNary denies rape allegations
McNary was charged with rape Wednesday, but has denied the validity of the charges.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
”Joshua McNary unhesitatingly denies all accusations made against him. Following the public release of these allegations, Joshua immediately reported to law enforcement officials in a respectful and peaceful manner.
“The charges and affidavit publicly disseminated on Wednesday afternoon are not evidence of wrongdoing, but simply one side’s story.”
McNary was allegedly at a bar called Tiki Bob’s Dec. 1 when he met a 29-year-old woman. The woman told police that she visited two bars prior to her chance meeting with McNary, The Pub and the Blu Night Club, where she was socializing with co-workers. The woman states that she had a cocktail and took a shot at The Pub, followed by a single shot at the Blu Night Club. The woman told detectives that she had a few cocktails and another shot at Tiki Bob’s.
The woman remembers feeling drunk and claims that she does not remember how or when she left the establishment, but ultimately ended up back at McNary’s home. The two began talking, and the woman describes herself as being flirty with the man. They began to kiss on the mouth, with the woman describing the man as being “touchy-feely”.
The woman recalls telling the man that she was “really drunk” and needed to lie down. The two went into the bedroom, where the man began kissing the woman again, this time against her wishes. The woman realized that she was no longer wearing pants or underwear and that the man was bare chested. It’s at this time that she rebuked sexual advances made by the man, which caused him to become aggressive. It was at that point that he allegedly raped her following a fight, which resulted in the woman scratching the man’s face, back, neck and shoulders.
The woman claims that man then used the bathroom, which allowed her to grab her clothes and leave the apartment. She also took his cell phone, which is how the police figured out who the supposed attacker was. When police arrived at McNary’s residence, he told them “I know why you’re here” and had preserved bedding for them, as well as some of the woman’s belongings.
Detectives took McNary to the hospital where a suspect sexual assault examination took place. One of the detectives noticed “reddened abrasions and scratches on his neck, abdomen, shoulder and back,” according to court documents.
The Colts requested that the NFL add McNary to the commissioner's exempt list, similar to what the league did with Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy. The NFL has granted that request, which means McNary will not be eligible to participate in team activities but will still receive a pay check. The team also released a statement on the matter:
"We are aware that there has been a report about Josh McNary, but unfortunately that's the limit of our knowledge. At this time, we are very concerned and trying to find out what the relevant facts are, but we have insufficient information to venture any opinion. As we learn more, we will make appropriate updates."
Indianapolis plays the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Sunday at 6:40 p.m. ET.
The NFL has not yet released comment about the situation.
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