Expert: Why Tiger Woods Isn't Talking to Police
Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Although police are still trying to get Tiger Woods to open up about his mysterious car crash early Friday, his spokespeople have hinted that he has no plans to talk.
Why is he staying so hush-hush?
"Tiger Woods is under no legal obligation to speak with police," says CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin. "The Fifth Amendment gives everyone an absolute right to refuse to talk to them. He may be counting on the fact that if no new news emerges, everybody will move on."
Woods, 33, may not be talking because "there is possibly something unpleasant and embarrassing that he doesn't want to share with them, and he has that right," says Toobin. "Based on what is publicly known, Woods has a public relations problem much more than a legal problem. He's arguably the most famous athlete in the world, and his team's overall strategy is a gamble that his general statement of responsibility won't be overtaken by events or other disclosures."
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The authorities likely won't have any luck getting Woods to talk, either.
"If someone doesn't want to talk to you, you as a police officer can't do anything about it," Toobin explains. "In theory, they could get a search warrant, but you need probable cause that a crime took place, and at this point, I don't see anything that would justify it."
Asked why Rachel Uchitel -- the New York nightclub manager accused of having an affair with Woods -- went on to hire famed celeb attorney Gloria Allred, Toobin says, "The woman may go public to repeat ... what she's said to the AP and publicly deny the affair, or perhaps to say that she was libeled by the Enquirer. Gloria Allred's clients tend not to disappear from the news media."
Tell Us What You Think
17People - there are no special rights here. Rich, poor - doesn't matter. Everyone can exercise their 5th amendment rights and not speak to police or anyo other authority if they are the ones being investigated.
They were having a spat and she hit him with a golf club and he tried to get away. The ordinary person would have had to talk to the law - why do we have two sets of laws. If you have money, you will walk. It is very disgusting.
i think they got into a big argument and she struck him with a golf club in side the house...he tried to leave quickly hence the no shoes and shorts but the stike to the head messed him up and as he was trying to drive away he crashed just before he went unconcious. I think the reason he isnt talking is because him and his wife have an agreement, she doesnt leave him and he doesnt turn her in. They let everything die down and start over and forgive each other.
I am not surprised that Tiger doesn't think he has to talk to the police. Remember when he was invited to the White House and he declined because he thought he was way better than Bill Clinton? I think not. It is very obvious he is trying to hide something. I agree if one of us had done this we would be talking to whomever the authorities wanted us to talk to.
I'm no legal analyst but if Tiger talks to the officers I'm assuming he would have to tell the truth. If he lies then he would be lying to law enforcement, which I assume is illegal. However, Tiger was taken to the hospital so therein should lie the evidence of abuse which, just assuming, would be enough to get Tiger to talk to the officers. Tiger's press release was so general and hiding doesn't make the situation go away. If his wife is dangerous enough to attack him and use a golf club to ensue further damage, then she probably deserves to be treated like a domestic abuser. Yes, they have kids but Tiger's wife should have thought of them before going crazy on Tiger. Ah, I love it when rich people act like normal, everyday idiots.
His wife beat the crap out of him and his car with a golf club, and the accident was staged.
The mistress is saying there was no affair bc either there really wasnt or she is getting paid to keep her mouth shut.
were they arguing and she took a club to the car- and he sped out of there
I agree with Jeffrey, he doesn't have to talk, but he should!
Golf Men in Ugly Pants Walking. A sport no. A fashion disaster oh Yes.
I thought he hit a fire hydrant he should have to talk to police. If anyone other "normal" person did that we would all be talking to police no matter what.
give the man a break! he'll speak when he wants to..
Ha ha ha. I love how rich people have the option of telling the cops they don't want to speak to them. I guarantee you if he were Tiger Woods, poor and living in the hood, he wouldn't have that option.
Anna, I agree with you. It is much more of a skill.
Anna, your an idiot, have you ever tried to play golf before? Obviously not.
They don't see anything that would justify a search? Uh, how about a mysterious crash into a tree?? DUH! A regular person would be searched and arrested. I bet he was drunk or high on pills.
Athlete? Um, no, I dont think so! He hits a ball with a stick! You cannot call golf a sport.