Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is still facing criminal charges after his June arrest stemming from an alleged domestic dispute, but his accuser has walked back some of her allegations.
Marissa Crumley, with whom Bateman shares a daughter, says she wanted to get the NFL star, 26, “in trouble” when she alleged he pushed her into a wall during the dispute.
“He did not push me or put hands on me in any way,” she told prosecutors, according to an email obtained by TMZ.
Bateman was arrested on June 3 and charged with family violence battery, reckless conduct and felony property damage. Crumley alleged at the time that he got physical during a dispute before striking the windows and tire of her car with a screwdriver while the couple’s 3-month-old daughter was inside.
Police reported that the shattered glass caused cuts to Crumley’s face but the infant was uninjured during the alleged incident.
Five days later, Crumley reportedly told prosecutors she wanted to tell the “true side of the story” as she retracted her initial assault claim.
Crumley reportedly added that the bruises and marks photographed on her face at the time were self-inflicted “out of emotion and frustration.” She also said officers pressured her into identifying Bateman and invaded her privacy by lifting her head wrap to take pictures of the marks on her face.
It does not appear that Crumley walked back her accusations about the damage to her vehicle.
“It is unfortunate that a personal family situation has been taken completely out of context for sensational reasons,” Bateman’s attorney, Jordan Siev, said in a statement to ESPN. “We will let the court process play out, and the facts will come out at that time.”
The arrest and charges triggered a review from the NFL to see if Bateman violated the league’s personal conduct policy.
“The club has been in contact with the league regarding the matter, which is under review of the personal conduct policy,” chief NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN on Friday, August 21.
“We are aware of the situation involving Rashod and have been in direct communication with him,” the Ravens added in a statement. “We notified the league office and have been cooperating throughout the process. As this is a pending legal matter, we will not have further comment.”
Bateman is in the midst of a three-year, $36.75 million contract extension he signed last year. He missed the Ravens’ voluntary workouts in May and June, with offensive coordinator Declan Doyle telling reporters he was dealing with “personal things” at the time. Bateman also did not participate in mandatory workouts in June, but returned for the start of training camp and has been with the team ever since.
He spoke to reporters at camp earlier this month, reflecting on how fatherhood has changed him.
“It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said. “I love my little girl so much. She’s changed me a lot. Yes, I would definitely say she changed my life for the better.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
