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| Ray Rice |
MAYS LANDING – A Maryland man was arraigned today for the physical assault of a woman in an Atlantic City casino/hotel elevator, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced today.
Raymell M. Rice, 27, of the 2400 block of Tufton Spring Lane, Reistertown, MD, was arraigned on May 1, 2014 at 8:45 a.m. on the charge of aggravated assault in Atlantic County Superior Court.
On February 15, 2014, at 2:52 a.m., Atlantic City Police responded to the Revel Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City to investigate an altercation between Raymell M. Rice, 27, of the 2400 block of Tufton Spring Lane, Reistertown, MD, and Janay Palmer, 26, of the same address.
Atlantic City Police charged both Rice and Palmer with simple assault, a disorderly persons offense. Both were released on summons complaints. The case was referred to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The simple assault complaint against Janay Palmer was administratively dismissed. An Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Raymell M. Rice on March 27, 2014 for one (1) count of aggravated assault, for attempting to cause significant bodily injury, and/or purposely or knowing causing such injury, and/or recklessly causing such injury under extreme indifference to the value of human life.
Aggravated Assault is a 3rd degree crime, and carries a potential penalty of 3-5 years imprisonment.
Today, Rice entered a not guilty plea before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Michael A. Donio, and made application for Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI).
PTI is a New Jersey program for first-time offenders accused of 4th or 3rd degree crimes, similar to probation in that it avoids incarceration and requires the satisfaction of prescribed conditions. The program ranges in duration between 6 months and 4 years. Successful completion of the program by a defendant results in the dismissal of criminal charges.
As required at arraignment, the State submitted a plea offer to the defendant of: a term of probation—the length of the term of probation left to the Court’s discretion, anger management counseling, and no imprisonment, there being a presumption of no jail time for a first offender who commits a 3rd degree crime.
Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Donio scheduled the next court date for May 29, 2014 at 9 a.m.
First Assistant Prosecutor Diane Ruberton represents the State in the case. In answer to media questions at the conclusion of today’s proceeding, FAP Ruberton confirmed the existence of additional evidence, said that she is confident of securing a conviction, and reaffirmed that the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office will not release details of the investigation.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.
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