She was never shy. The family worries that the longer it takes for the case to be resolved, the less anyone will remember Tintor. "Think of Kenzli," she says. I genuinely feel sorry for her," he wrote. She wasnt impressed, he said. No cancellations during the first 12 months. "I don't get sick," he told GameDay. Calling me a rapist just makes me want to snap and kill the bloke. "You can't even imagine the pain," Komazec said of his niece's death. Each payment, once made, is non-refundable, subject to law. February 25: Detective Gary McEvoy contacted by NSW Police head of forensic services Superintendent Phil Fogel who McEvoy says told him allegations were 'red-hot' news in Sydney and he'd been told to give investigators all possible assistance even if it meant putting previous, serious cases to one side. "You're under pressure when you're on camera," she laughed. JUST A FEW hours after the NFL's first-round draft picks walk the red carpet under the backdrop of the Bellagio Fountains in late April, Pedja Komazec quietly gets in his Volkswagen and makes the 3:30 a.m. journey home from work. He received his first football scholarship offer after the second game of the season. ', Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes said in the days after the allegations were raised: 'We've had more front pages than the 9/11 disaster in New York.'. Authorities say Ruggs' blood alcohol content, measured two hours after the crash, was 0.161 -- more than twice the legal limit in Nevada. Stallworth, who was 28 at the time, was suspended without pay for the entire 2009 season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the leagues personal conduct and substance abuse policy. I wish we could have come out and cleared our names straight away because everythi. He said he reached out to Ruggs but Ruggs never responded. It relaxes him when he knows everything is OK. Players currently can secure a car service, with at least an hour's notice, by calling the 1-800 number on the back of their NFLPA membership card. The Director of Public Prosecutions ruled there was insufficient evidence to launch a prosecution. READ & WATCH: https://bit.ly/3i7j1iR. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. A voice on the video, but off camera, tells police there is someone still in the car that's on fire. 'It probably impacted the players' families more,' he said. Doggy day-care! At after-match functions, their players are all dressed in suits and ties. An unnamed 20-year-old slept with six of them back at the teams hotel before being spotted by Bulldogs the following night at the Plantation Hotel. She heard him yell, "What is this guy doing?" Obviously, the victim at the time and certainly the club at the time as well. The NRL's early plans to conquer America won't involve the competition's four Queensland-based teams. He can't shake the memories. He's going to do something. ON MARCH 16, the Clark County court granted Ruggs permission to leave home confinement twice a week to work out for three hours a day at a training center in the Las Vegas Valley near Red Rock Canyon. The Met Gala begins! Yet no one saw fit to tell Williams his shirt might be seen as in questionable taste at best, arrogantly defiant and intimidating at worst.Williams is one of four New Zealand players at the club. He says Tintor's mom ordered a giant photo of her daughter shortly after her death, and when the family hung it on the wall, their Siberian husky cried and barked for days. Johnathan Thurston playing for the Bulldogs in 2004. Kilgo-Washington narrated Ruggs as he swatted at golf balls. ON THE HEADER of Ruggs' Twitter page, which has been silent since Oct. 31, is a photo of a tombstone. I never got called in, they never heard my side of the story.'. He walks a couple of blocks to the spot where Ruggs slammed on his brakes. He had broken two bones in his neck. "Think of Kenzli.". In an emotional interview with Channel Nine's 60 Minutes, Thurston who went on to become one of the greatest NRL players of all time with the North Queensland Cowboys said he was denied a chance to defend himself. Andrew Ryan and Hazem El Masri have spoken out about their personal experiences as the code struggles to deal with serious accusations against current stars Jack de Belin and Dylan Walker. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. They were also let down by the club.After beating Canberra the night before, players were due at a recovery session in the hotel pool at 8am. The scandal saw Bulldogs players accused of sexual assault after a night out in Coffs Harbour in 2004. It was a placeholder job to pay the bills until she figured out who she wanted to be. Komazec plans to be in the courtroom for every hearing. He said she had hopes of studying at UNLV. RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: What do we want? Club legend Steve Price wrote in his autobiography 'Be Your Best' that during the Coffs Harbour affair, 'I would go to pick my kids up from school and could sense the other parents looking at me. She later told police that they were drinking mai tais and that she drank two but didn't know how many, if any, Ruggs had. The arrival of youngster Steve Mortimer and veteran Bob McCarthy in 1976 signalled a new beginning at the Canterbury club. The matter returns to court in April. When Breton announced the decision not to press charges, he even told the media there was evidence a rape had occurred - comments then NSW Premier Bob Carr publicly rebuked him for. Canterbury Bulldogs players Sonny Bill Williams and Dennis Scott arrive at the police centre in Surry Hills to have DNA samples. If you looked the wrong way, smiled the wrong way you wouldnt wish it upon your worst enemy.. Smoke and heat from the fire caused both men to back away. Several Bulldogs players were questioned during a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault during the pre-season trip to Coffs Harbour. Ryan was the Bulldogs' captain when they won the 2004 grand final at the end of an incredibly damaging year for the club that saw a 20-year-old woman accuse players of gang-raping her after a pre-season trial. Tracking fifth-year options for 2020 first-rounders: Which were picked up, and which were declined? Club and police investigations were conducted but no charges laid, the Bulldogs fining the three players involved for breach of the club code. The new policy meant that St George Illawarras Jack de Belin has been stood down indefinitely while he faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault. Tina drove a 2013 RAV4. Some have never had another job. I can just imagine what the other players went through. I wish I could tell you that I was shocked by the group sex but I wasnt, Thurston wrote. Ryan, El Masri and many of their teammates remain angry over how the Bulldogs were treated by the media - especially when it comes to three instances of what he calls 'ridiculous' reporting - and they're backed by Glen Pearce, one of the lead detectives on the Coffs Harbour case. Specialty Premium. Ruggs' agent, Jovan Barnes, who has made numerous trips to Las Vegas since Nov. 2 to be with Ruggs, said that he would like to talk about the Henry Ruggs he knows but that he can't comment. From the guys perspective, why would you want to see a mates peen in action? Still, with each delay, a family wonders whether justice will ever be served. March 9: Bulldogs CEO Steve Mortimer confirms sponsor Bing Lee has cancelled its agreement with the club, worth around $500,000. It's a vital part of the representative program, as players prepare for the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups in February. "I think the woman who made the allegations did so out of anger after the boys reduced her to tears. The North Coast Bulldogs under 16s and 18s squads were put through their paces at a skills and welfare session today. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Recently retired NRL great Johnathan Thurston has broken his 14-year silence on the Canterbury Bulldogs Coffs Harbour scandal which threatened to derail his career. "We have all been painted as being guilty because of the way things have eventuated. It was devastating for the players, the staff, everyone. A valid active email address and Australian mobile phone number are required for account set up. He played in 11 games for the Washington Football Team in 2011 and spent his last season in the NFL with New England Patriots in 2012. Steelers' first draft under Omar Khan was 'aggressive' and achieved high marks, After hoopla of going No. The players also face disciplinary action for other inappropriate behaviour in the wake of the Coffs Harbour incident. Is it a measure of his arrogance and the club's tolerance of it that the headings Born, Height, Weight, Test Matches, Personal Notes all carry the word "unknown" beside them?It certainly seems odd that in these troubled times the Coach's Comments section carries only the words "no current items".STORY SO FAR* February 22: Woman complains she was pack-raped by Bulldogs players* She names six players she said assaulted her* Police and NRL announce investigation* Police question 20 Bulldogs players and ask for DNA samples* One player, Hazem El Masri, refuses to supply DNA. He would tally up 29 NRL games across three seasons with the Bulldogs. No cancellations during the first 12 months. High Roller, the city's famous 550-foot observation wheel, was in Ruggs' sight line. Three stoplights away, a family was desperately trying to find their 23-year-old rock of the household. Ive never understood the appeal of a gang bang. Under the code, players are not supposed to bring outsiders back to the team hotel. It's been six years since the crash on I-65, and Adams still thinks about Scott every day. A few weeks later, Pinzon was loading groceries into her car in the parking lot of La Bonita on South Rainbow Boulevard when a woman in the parking lot approached her. He estimated 10 people were walking closer to the crash, and he remembered an officer telling one of the men to back up, and the man replied, "Oh, we are his friends, we know them.". His brother Glen, who played for the Dogs in 2004, was also involved. One of the boys pushed her out and gave her a gob-full. To upgrade, call 1300 MY NEWS (696 397), As a Full Digital Access or Paper Delivery + Full Digital Access Member youll get unlimited digital access to every story online, insight and analysis from our expert journalists PLUS enjoy freebies, discounts and benefits with our +Rewards loyalty program. "Speaking about it is quite difficult knowing that my daughters will probably see this when they're older and having to sit down and explain to them what is my side of this story is going to be tough.". "Get me the f--- out of here," Ruggs screamed. El Masri is in a unique position to speak on the code banning accused players. She graduated from Durango High School in 2016, and worked at the Target on Grand Canyon Drive. Johnathan Thurston remained quiet for 14 years. It will cover the Coffs Harbour allegations, new claims by the woman involved in that case that she was approached by club officials who tried to dissuade her from going to police, the allegation that a player urinated in front of media and an unrelated allegation that a Sydney Roosters player openly had sex on a Newcastle beach during a pre-season trial.That inquiry is likely to be widened to include the latest case, where two Melbourne Storm players are accused of a sexual assault.Some clubs have taken the pro-active approach. Adams said the driver was speeding and distracted on her phone. February 18, 2004:A 20-year-old woman told police she had consensual sex with six Bulldogs players on this date while they were in Coffs Harbour, northern NSW, to play a trial game. Henry Ruggs III is the fourth active NFL player over the last 25 years to be involved in a drunk-driving incident resulting in death. That is a matter for the courts, he said. Each player involved has received a letter explaining the inappropriate conduct charges, and asking them to outline why they should not be reprimanded, fined, suspended or sacked. On Tuesday, his lawyers argued in court that Las Vegas police had no legal reason to request a warrant for blood to be drawn from Ruggs the morning of the crash and that the blood alcohol test should not be allowed. Two vastly experienced private investigators who were former detective sergeants - one acting for the Bulldogs and one for the NRL - both reached the same conclusion that the woman was not telling the truth within a similar time frame. There are several countries around the world that have an "American Football League". Thurston was not involved in the incident. So I decided to show up. The press absolutely hammered us and it felt like the public thought we were all guilty even though a charge had not been laid.. Britt Ramsey. It's unclear whether Ruggs is actually working out or whether he has hopes of someday resurrecting his football career. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/bulldogs-players-handed-breach-notices-as-thurston/1977168, Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app, Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, This man advises his clients that elections, rates and mortgages are invalid, Recreational vaping to be banned, all e-cigarettes to be strictly controlled, Qantas names new boss ahead of Alan Joyce's retirement, RBA tipped for rates hold, Treasurer refuses to confirm reported JobSeeker lift for people over 55, but says targeted support in the budget, Selling the furniture and couch surfing: Families forced to make 'impossible' decisions amid fears inflation crisis hitting kids, US updates Russian death toll in Ukraine, Twitter glitch logs users out. By midday news had broken of the accusation made against between three and six players in the early hours of the morning. 783. I will be something great.". Renewals occur unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions. But the sexual assault allegations levelled against Thurston and his teammates threatened to end his career. March 22: Steve Mortimer resigns as Bulldogs CEO. If you smiled, if you didn't smile, everything was scrutinised. Chesnoff wouldn't comment on a motion the defense made, and a judge granted, in late April requesting permission for Ruggs to go to California for one month -- May 2 to June 2 -- for medical treatment. Like, was it a good thing for me that I wasn't there or was it just meant to be that way? February 2, 2023. You'd be surprised. Andrew Ryan was at the Bulldogs when the gang rape scandal engulfed the club in 2004. Both players have plead not guilty to the charges. The former Australian and Queensland representative delved into the harrowing fiasco in his new book, Johnathan Thurston: The Autobiography. But then he later read in the Las Vegas Review-Journal that Davis said he wouldn't abandon Ruggs even though he was cut from the team. ', St George lock Jack de Belin leaves Wollongong Local Court after appearing on a sexual assault charge. She didn't let anyone talk down to her, especially at Target. She was always there to help. It was tough for everyone because we were gagged and we couldnt give our side of the story., *Odds are current as of 2nd May 2023, 9:37am AEST. After retiring from the NFL, Stallworth became an advocate for ending impaired driving. It felt like the public thought we were all guilty even though a charge had not been laid.. A lot of decent people, family people, lost their jobs, El Masri said. Full Digital Access + Weekend Paper Delivery $8 billed every 4 weeks for the first 12 weeks, then $36 billed every 4 weeks. Henry Ruggs III faces multiple felony charges stemming from his involvement in a crash that left a woman dead in Las Vegas early Tuesday. The look of love! Mortimer says two players will be severely disciplined for breaching the club's code of conduct. Distraught family wants answers in Ruggs case, Fantasy football rankings for 2023 season, 10 fantasy football breakout players for 2023, Broncos pick up Jeudy's 5th-year rookie option, Bills ink vet Murray after passing on RBs in draft, Source: Ravens decline LB Queen's 2024 option, LB Barrett's 2-year-old daughter drowns in pool, Bengals' Ossai recovering from offseason surgery, Deion 'ashamed' after only 1 HBCU player drafted, Sources: NFL eyes May 11 to release schedule, Cowboys scout emotional as team drafts his son. cost) every 4 weeks unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions. "She didn't take s--- from anyone. By the time Komazec neared South Rainbow Boulevard that morning, fire had consumed whatever was in the street. Britt Ramsey has been a journalist across print and broadcast media for several years. Shortly after their basketball team was eliminated from the postseason, Scott and Ruggs planned a trip to Birmingham to cheer for their friends in the state finals. Ruggs appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court on Wednesday morning wearing a neck brace and had his bail set at $150,000. His blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit at the time of the crash and Ruggs had a loaded firearm in his vehicle. I was not involved in any capacity with the woman who made the accusations. Warriors captain Steve Price will draw on his experience in dealing with the Bulldogs' Coffs Harbour scandal to offer advice to teammate Michael Crockett, who is facing sexual assault charges. Brent faced up to 20 years in prison, but was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years of probation. Read the full extract in the Courier Mail here. "That's the advice that we had been given [to keep quiet]. ", (ESPN requested records for the accident report from the State of Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, but the request was denied, citing Lagniappe v. Mack, a 2021 Alabama Supreme Court decision involving a local newspaper's request for body-cam footage in a fatal police shooting. JOHNATHAN Thurston today becomes the first Bulldogs player to give his version of the Coffs Harbour scandal that engulfed the club 14-years ago revealing in an exclusive book extract what he says happened the night a woman claimed she was gang raped by six players. Pinzon said it wasn't meant as a knock against the Raiders. Ruggs is likely to have a long journey ahead, including potential prison time, before he could have any chance of returning to the NFL but others before have made a comeback. In an interview with ESPN, he said he saw someone still in the driver's seat of a Corvette and remembered music blaring. Shortly after that, the car started hydroplaning, then left the road and overturned. 'There were cameras everywhere you went. Ryan and El Masri are not alone in speaking out about how the Coffs Harbour scandal has left its mark on them. "We would like to be able to train players, staff, fans," Otte said. Stallworth was placed under house arrest for two years but given provisions to allow him to resume his football career. Ruggs was at home in bed. Read the full extract in the Courier Mail here. Each payment, once made, is non-refundable, subject to law. Know that they weren't alone. She repeatedly pleads for help and tells Ruggs to think of their toddler daughter. They became best friends at Robert E. Lee High School and dreamed of getting out of Montgomery and playing in the NBA. In the crowd she spotted a group of people dressed in black. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/johnathan-thurston-says-players-gagged-over-rape-allegation/10403466, Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app, Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, This man advises his clients that elections, rates and mortgages are invalid, Recreational vaping to be banned, all e-cigarettes to be strictly controlled, Qantas names new boss ahead of Alan Joyce's retirement, RBA tipped for rates hold, Treasurer refuses to confirm reported JobSeeker lift for people over 55, but says targeted support in the budget, Selling the furniture and couch surfing: Families forced to make 'impossible' decisions amid fears inflation crisis hitting kids, US updates Russian death toll in Ukraine, Twitter glitch logs users out. Police hunt for Brixton killer after woman in her 30s is stabbed to death in broad daylight near O2 Academy. She had plans. Pinzon, who has four golden retrievers, found herself grieving a woman and a dog she had never met and wanted to do something. "I was just thinking he was somebody who feels sorry and he's going to change something," Komazec said. Obviously the victim at the time and certainly the club at the time as well. The scandal saw Bulldogs players accused of sexual assault after a night out in Coffs Harbour in 2004. Former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2014. The car began to slide, veering from the middle of the northbound lanes, south of Spring Valley Parkway, into the far right lane and hit Tintor's Toyota at 127 mph.
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