Matt Araiza accused of rape, served with a lawsuit.

[RocCityRoller]

4 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

I have to say, I'm pissed that the Bills didn't thoroughly do their homework and their PI needs to be fired!!!

 

This is true

[Yobogoya!]

Just now, just1hugheser said:

 

Exactly, my only concern is that the Bills were made aware sometime in early June, seems like a bad move to cut Haack limiting options, though the article does say they did an invesitgation.

thats why I think there’s more to this story we haven’t heard. McD called him a good kid just this past week, I can’t imagine he’d say that if he thought the guy gang raped someone but who knows who had what information and when throughout this thing. We’ll see I guess. 

[fridge]

Just now, Success said:

 

Not at all.  Our justice system still has major flaws & biases - but it is still one of the best in the world. And it sure as HELL is better than a jury of twitter losers.

 

 

Why would you even compare our justice system to Twitter? Bizarre.

 

Yes, it's obviously flawed. Your blanket statement was worth pointing out because there are a multitude of mainstream examples for why having faith in the justice system is not a good excuse for inaction.

 

 

[BillsFanSD]

Just now, Beck Water said:

 

I hate to be "that B*tch", but I think you've got it mixed about fundamental rights and the behavior of employers here.

 

Please keep in mind as you read this that I have consistently in this thread promoted a viewpoint of "gather the facts before acting" "wait to gain a full picture before acting"

 

It is not a fundamental right of any person to remain employed by any specific employer.  You break a rule, or do something that causes your employer to lose confidence in you, or even causes your employer to be bathed in a negative light, they can and will hand you your walking papers.  This is because employers are all about their business success and what advances their business, no matter what stuff they put out there about "family" and "value for people" and lalala.

 

There are a lot of things that have a huge impact on a person's life.  Being in an accident that leaves them disabled.  Losing a close family member or loved one. 

 

For an intelligent healthy young person with a college degree, losing a specific job, even if it is his "dream job", should not "destroy" his life.  He should be able to move on, find another job, build another career.  He does not have a fundamental right to be an NFL football player and collect NFL football player money.

 

Again, I say this as someone who has been consistently up thread promoting a "gather the facts" "investigate" "don't be hasty" mindset.  I frankly find it sickening to read tweets like this:

 

But, on the other hand, it's just as bad to claim a moral and ethical high ground or "fundamental human right" for someone who faces civil suit and potentially criminal charges to remain employed by a specific employer.  I would have no problem personally if the Bills were to decide to retain Araiza's services pending gathering more evidence, but I don't pretend it's some "fundamental right" of his, or that his life is ruined if he can't play in the NFL. 

 

And where is the concern for the "fundamental rights" of the alleged victim who, if the allegations prove true, had her life turned upsidedown "on a whim" ?

Nobody is saying that Matt Araiza has a constitutional right to punt for the Buffalo Bills.

 

We're saying that it would be stupid, short-sighted, and contrary to the team's best interests to make any decision, one way or the other, without at least a little more information that what has been made publicly available.  There is no harm whatsoever in waiting a few days.  

[fridge]

Just now, BillsFanSD said:

Nobody is saying that Matt Araiza has a constitutional right to punt for the Buffalo Bills.

 

We're saying that it would be stupid, short-sighted, and contrary to the team's best interests to make any decision, one way or the other, without at least a little more information that what has been made publicly available.  There is no harm whatsoever in waiting a few days.  

 

Genuine question -- what do you envision changing over the next "few days"?

[gobills404]

1 hour ago, BullBuchanan said:

Why is it unprofessional to interact with porn stars online?

Nothing if you do it privately. Doing it on a public account you use to represent yourself and your work is another thing.

[Beck Water]

Just now, BillsFanSD said:

Nobody is saying that Matt Araiza has a constitutional right to punt for the Buffalo Bills.

 

Funny, that seems very close to what the poster to whom I was responding was saying:

"I take MASSIVE ethical/moral issues with your #1.  It should not be so easy to turn someone's life upside down on a whim, just because you can afford the consequences without regard to the human life you are destroying.  Only highly paid QBs and the like deserve fundamental rights and respect now?"

 

Now mind you, the Constitution wasn't mentioned, but moral and ethical issues, respect, and "fundamental rights" were - which kinda seem bigger then just our constitutution.

 

Quote

We're saying that it would be stupid, short-sighted, and contrary to the team's best interests to make any decision, one way or the other, without at least a little more information that what has been made publicly available.  There is no harm whatsoever in waiting a few days. 

 

And I have no problem with that viewpoint, in fact, I support it. 

 

My point is, if the Buffalo Bills decide that it IS in the team's best interest to make an immediate decision and there IS harm in waiting, they are not violating Araiza's "fundamental rights" or any moral or ethical issue, because he has no fundamental, moral, or ethical right to employment by a specific employer.

[Bills2022]

7 minutes ago, just1hugheser said:

Please read this before commiting one way or another:

 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34460423/buffalo-bills-punter-matt-araiza-two-san-diego-state-football-players-accused-gang-raping-minor-lawsui

 

He admitted to having sex with her. She was 17. That is all the Bills need to know. Cut him.  He may not have raped her, she may be a crazy person, but this is not the Duke lacrosse team situation.

 

Hopefully it all works out for him. If it does Cleveland will find a spot for him. 

[Andy1]

Are the police still investigating? What is taking so long? This is not a complicated case. Either charge him or not. I don’t blame the girls family for being frustrated with lack of action. 

[BullBuchanan]

3 minutes ago, gobills404 said:

Nothing if you do it privately. Doing it on a public account you use to represent yourself and your work is another thing.

Why?

[BillsFanSD]

8 minutes ago, fridge said:

 

Genuine question -- what do you envision changing over the next "few days"?

Well, for one, we can hear the accounts of other people who were at the party.

 

Again, this isn't just speculation, like "Well, I don't know, maybe another accuser or a mystery witness will come forward."  We know with 100% certainty that there were other people there, some of whom were friends with the plaintiff.  I would like to hear from them before making any decisions.

 

I think we've reached the point where I should note that I can tell you exactly what would convince me that Araiza should be released: corroborating testimony from one or more witnesses*.  What could happen that would convince you that Araiza should stay, and why are you so eager to make a snap decision now instead of waiting to see if that comes to pass?

 

* There's other stuff too of course, like a rape kit that shows GHB in Jane Doe's system and credible evidence that Araiza served her.  But I have no idea if police have that information and I wouldn't expect it to be publicly released just to make life easy on the Bills.  Probably the Bills already know what the witness testimony is going to be, though, which is why I'm focusing on that.

Edited August 26, 2022 by BillsFanSD

[BuffaloRebound]

If these are all lies, Araiza needs to publicly come out and explain what did or didn’t happen like immediately.  Gang rape and minor and NFL player.  The story is taking on a life if it’s own.  He needs to defend himself in media immediately.  

[Orlando Tim]

Just now, fridge said:

 

Genuine question -- what do you envision changing over the next "few days"?

I am hoping that some evidence is presented that backs up the accusation, if it is true. I don't believe the SDPD just sat on the case due to the fact that he was a football player but whatever investigation has been done I would like to see the evidence. I highly doubt he sees any criminal liability, but if he is guilty I hope he does not play for us, and if he is innocent I hope this dies quickly. I don't know what evidence the police can share with the public because it is a very serious accusation.

[Jauronimo]

1 minute ago, BullBuchanan said:

Why?

Some people might think its a sign of questionable professional judgement to mix your work with your porn interests as evidenced by all the people suggesting that mixing work with porn shows questionable professionalism and judgement.  

[JD333]

 

[Beck Water]

12 minutes ago, Bills2022 said:

The Pegulas have a daughter on the professional women's tennis tour. And a couple other daughters. Terry Pegula is not going to allow this guy to remain on the team.  

 

Pretty confident Pegula would get rid of him based on the statutory rape claim alone. The guy admitted to having sex with her. He can't survive that even if it was consensual. I am not sure how the guy gets around the 17yr old girl issue even if everything else is false.

 

Because in the same state where 18 (and not 17 or 16) is the age of consent, "mistake of age" is apparently considered to be a reasonable defense.

 

If there are other people at the party who are willing to testify that they heard her say she was 18, or attending college, it would be "up to" the prosecutor to prove Araiza should have reasonably known that was false.

[Andy1]

Ariza on NBC news now…. Ugh

[Bills2022]

6 minutes ago, Andy1 said:

Are the police still investigating? What is taking so long? This is not a complicated case. Either charge him or not. I don’t blame the girls family for being frustrated with lack of action. 

 

The police handed it over to the District Attorney. They now have to decide what charges to bring. It gets tricky with underage girls. Especially if they lied and said they were  in college when they were only 17 and in high school.

Edited August 26, 2022 by Bills2022

[pigpen65]

Benching him was the absolute bare minimum. It should have been announced last night that he would be benched. The Pegulas, Beane, and McD all have a lot of questions that need answered about why it's gotten to the point it hadls when they've known about this for weeks

Edited August 26, 2022 by pigpen65

[UKBillFan]

Just in terms of the Bills options away from cutting him and including him on the roster, could we include him on the practice squad and leave him there until this is sorted?