Hanson suffered broken jaw, but DA says no evidence for case Brad Biggs
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable will not face criminal charges for an alleged assault of assistant coach Randy Hanson at the club’s training camp facility on Aug. 5.
Napa, Calif., district attorney Gary Lieberstein said that Hanson did suffer a fractured jaw but that his office would not file charges because it dealt with many inconsistent statements and didn’t believe it had a case it could take before a jury. Cable never met with authorities in the matter, and Hanson had a second visit with law enforcement officials on Wednesday. Lieberstein said that Hanson gave inconsistent statements throughout the process, and that his story was not backed by witnesses.
“If this is a law school exam question, did a harmful or offensive touching happen? I wouldn’t disagree with you on that,’’ Lieberstein said. “The actual contact he had when Mr. Hanson was down, he basically, as best we can tell from the witnesses, had a hold of his collar and was essentially continuing to lecture him about his concerns about the organization and how he was handling himself.
“The question is would we file every type of misdemeanor battery that ever happens? You have to look at all the circumstances. Quite clearly in our mind there is absolutely no credible evidence that we would put in front of a jury to prove a felony occurred here. So our analysis comes down to did a misdemeanor battery technically occur, and again in a law school exam question, yes. But when you take all of the witnesses together and you take all of the inconsistent stories that were told and then you look from an interest of justice standpoint ... do we feel we should bring the criminal justice system down for a misdemeanor battery in a case we feel any jury would not return a verdict of guilty, we don’t believe that is our responsibility to the public to do that. There are certainly other avenues of remedy open to Mr. Hanson.’’
Hanson has retained the services of San Francisco attorney John McGuinn, and it remains possible that he will file suits against Cable and the organization. It also remains possible that Cable will still face punishment from the NFL, although today’s developments certainly help him greatly. The NFL has said it will continue to review the situation.
Hanson alleged that Cable attacked him in a meeting room at training camp, knocking him out of his chair, resulting in him fracturing his jaw. Defensive coordinator John Marshall, secondary coach Lionel Washington and longtime Raiders assistant Willie Brown were in the room at the time of the alleged attack. Hanson sought treatment at a Napa hospital late at night, and it was hospital officials who notified police, per state law, that they were likely treating someone who was the victim of an assault. Hanson declined to cooperate with authorities at the time, and has said that he was hopeful of maintaining his job as an assistant with the team at the time.
It was two weeks before Hanson met with owner Al Davis, and Davis told him that he could not undermine Cable and return him to a role as a coach on the team. Davis offered him three options—break down film for the coaching staff, take a job in the personnel department or leave the team and Davis would pay the remainder of his contract. It was at that time that Hanson changed his mind and decided to cooperate with authorities and turn over medical records to them.
But even proof that Hanson had a broken jaw couldn’t persuade Lieberstein and his office to pursue the matter further. According to officials, there were just too many inconsistencies in what Hanson said, and the three Raiders coaches who did speak were compelling and had the same story.
“It would be a miscarriage of justice to pursue criminal charges and we will not ask our citizens to give up their valuable time,’’ Lieberstein said.
Follow me on Twitter: BradBiggs
John, Still doesn't dispute the fact that a coach got his jaw broken. Someone is responsible in Oakland. Gotta love the legal system I guess.
Northwoods, you should read the press release from the DA, it explains the situation. It also makes note that Hanson went to the Police Dept in the last week and a half and proclaimed that since the Raiders didn't give him what he wanted, he was ready to fully cooperate. The guys a dirt bag.
Don't always believe what you read when it's only one side of the story. You're right he got his jaw broken, but it didn't happen the way unnamed sources, err, Hanson reported it.
Headlines if the Napa D.A. was the D.A. in other cities:
1. OJ Simpson Not Charged in Ex-Wife's Murder... Napa D.A. cites "slight" cut wound to Nicole's neck...
2. Richard Nixon Not Charged in Watergate... Napa D.A. states tapes "not conclusive"...
3. Madoff Not Charged in Investment Scandal... Napa D.A. can't find proof that money is missing...
4. (fill in the blanks)...
I guess he faked the broken jaw? And Al Davis is willing to pay this guy for nothing because? Cable proved one thing that many suspects would be wise to remember, NEVER cooperate with authorities. The right to remain silent is EXACTLY that.
Pretty shocking. You can assault a subordinate and break his jaw and it's not considered a criminal matter? I mean, how else did the guy get his jaw broken? Did he fall out of the chair? Sounds to me like the DA should be investigated.
All the sad non Raider fans, no charges for Cable, darn it. I love it, told you all what would go down weeks ago. And all the BS put out by the media on what the Police uncovered against Cable turns out to be just that BS.
The best part was watching all the media that were sitting up nights praying they would see Cable walked of the Raiders training field in cuffs faces as the DA let them know that there was no evidence of Cable assaulting anyone.
The media is becoming a dog and pony show, and to all the clowns with the "how shocking" and on and on, get a life and start sticking your noses up somebodys asses closer to home, Raider fans could give two spoons what you all think.
Sure Hansen had his jaw broken but he was ok with that until he did not get his way and retain his position. How many of you out there would have liked to, at some time in your life, punched out some weasel of a person who whined all the time and blames every one else (including you) for their problems?
This guy is nuts and while that is no excuse for the whoopin' he got. Hansen had a job that most of us would love to have but did not maintain the professionalism necessary to keep his jaw in place. Good on ya' Cable and good luck silver and black.
In criminal court it has to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Cable broke Hanson's jaw, which didn't happen.. No trial...everybody goes home...moving on with football season...
Looking forward to going to the game on Sunday! Go Raiders!!!!!!!!
Sure Hansen had his jaw broken but he was ok with that until he did not get his way and retain his position. How many of you out there would have liked to, at some time in your life, punched out some weasel of a person who whined all the time and blames every one else (including you) for their problems?
This guy is nuts and while that is no excuse for the whoopin' he got. Hansen had a job that most of us would love to have but did not maintain the professionalism necessary to keep his jaw in place. Good on ya' Cable and good luck silver and black.
Smith’s status for Sunday’s game in London vs. the New England Patriots remains up in the air. If you’re looking for the rematch, the Bucs travel to Carolina on Dec
No one is 'protected' with new...
Cornerback was given big contract...
Green Bay hikes prices up to $5...
Where will Peyton Manning end...
Velocity and throws to the left...
Oct 22, 2009
07:49 PM
Multiple articles on the main page when unnamed sources were convinced Cable sucker punched this guy.
Now that the evidence, you know the stuff reporters should be looking at before reporting, isn't there to press charges it's only a blip on the radar. Oh well, at least we can move away from this and get real news.