Roethlisberger Talks To Media; No Sex Assault Charges Filed

Ben Roethlisberger talked to media on Monday after Georgia authorities said they would not file charges against the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback after a college student accused him of sexually assaulting her at a nightclub last month.

Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright said the 20-year-old student's accusations could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, and her lawyer said in a letter that she did not want to press charges.

"Therefore, there will be no arrests made nor criminal prosecution against Mr. Roethlisberger," Bright said.

Late Monday evening, Roethlisberger read a prepared statement to media regarding the prosecutor's decision.

"I'd like to begin by expressing gratitude for the thorough investigation process in Georgia and the prosecutor's decision not to press charges," Roethlisberger said on Monday. "I know without a doubt it was the right conclusion. I'm happy to put this behind me and move forward."

PDF: Letter To DA From Accuser's AttorneyRAW VIDEO: DA Announces No Charges Against Roethlisberger RAW VIDEO: Roethlisberger's Attorney Responds VIDEO: Fans Have Mixed Reactions To Decision

Roethlisberger's accuser said he sexually assaulted her early March 5 at the Capital City night club, where he was drinking with friends shortly after his 28th birthday.

Ten days ago, Bright met with the woman and her attorneys, and they decided they didn't want to prosecute the case.

The letter sent from the accuser's lawyer to Bright read, "No matter what the outcome of a criminal trial, our client has had sound professional advice since this incident that participating in a public trial would not at all be in her best interest as she goes forward with her life."

Bright said the investigation showed the woman was heavily intoxicated that night. She and her sorority sisters had met Roethlisberger at a different bar earlier in the night, and he invited them into a VIP area at the Capital City club and ordered them shots. When the woman walked down a hallway to a small bathroom, Roethlisberger followed her, Bright said.

What happened in that bathroom is unclear, Bright said. A doctor treated the woman for a cut and bruising and bleeding in the genital area, but doctors couldn't determine if it was the result of a sexual assault. Investigators said they did find male DNA on the woman, but there was not enough to determine whom it belonged to.

"We are not condoning Mr. Roethlisberger's actions that night," Bright said. "But we do not prosecute morals. We prosecute crimes."

He said local and state investigators spent weeks questioning witnesses even though the woman sent a letter urging prosecutors not to move forward with charges.

"I know when I have a case and I know when I don't," Bright said. "And I do not have enough evidence to convince 12 jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Roethlisberger was guilty of rape."

Bright said the woman told him it had been an "unnerving experience" and that she and her family made it clear they did not want the matter prosecuted.

He said he hopes both the woman and Roethlisberger learned a lesson from the incident.

"If he were my son, I would say, 'Ben, don't put yourself in this position … Grow up … Don't put yourself in this position,'" Bright said.

Roethlisberger was seen out with a few friends at several different bars that night. The Capital City club is a popular spot for students at the neighboring Georgia College and State University. Roethlisberger owns a home about 30 miles north on Lake Oconee, in central Georgia.

"This has been a transparent investigation from law enforcement's side," Roethlisberger's attorney, Ed Garland, said Monday. "It has been slow. It has been thoughtful. It has been deliberate, and it resulted in the conclusion we have said from the very beginning. Ben was not guilty of any criminal conduct. He is glad that this matter is over and he is looking forward to going back to football practice next week and having a successful season."

Steelers President Art Rooney II released the following statement on Monday:

"The investigation process in Georgia has been deliberate and the District Attorney’s decision regarding Ben Roethlisberger speaks for itself.

"During the past few weeks I have met with Ben on a number of occasions, not only to discuss this incident, but also to discuss his commitment to making sure something like this never happens again. The Pittsburgh Steelers take the conduct of players and staff very seriously. Ben will now have to work hard to earn back the respect and trust of Steelers fans, and to live up to the leadership responsibilities we all expect of him.

"In the coming days Ben will meet with Commissioner Goodell to discuss his resolve to abide by the league’s personal conduct standards. After consultation with the Commissioner, our organization will determine the next steps in this process."

The two-time Super Bowl champ is being sued by a different woman who says he raped her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel and casino, an allegation he denies. Roethlisberger has not been criminally charged in that case either and has claimed counter-damages in the lawsuit.

Roethlisberger has not taken part in recent offseason workouts with the Steelers.

As Pittsburgh's first-round draft pick out of Miami of Ohio in 2004, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to Super Bowl victories in 2006 and 2009. He frequently has donated time and money to charities, and his charitable foundation awards a police dog to a department near every Steelers road opponent.

But off-field problems have come along with his championships and $102 million contract. In 2006, he defied his coach's orders and rode his motorcycle without a helmet -- and wound up with a concussion, broken jaw and other injuries after a wreck.

And while Roethlisberger has a reputation for patiently signing autographs and posing for pictures while out in public, he also is known for occasionally inelegant behavior in Pittsburgh.

Early in his career, he was photographed -- obviously after drinking -- wearing a T-shirt reading "Drink Like a Champion."

Previous Stories: April 7, 2010: DA Gets Roethlisberger Case; 2nd Interview Never Happened April 7, 2010: Hines Ward Voices Support For Roethlisberger, Holmes April 1, 2010: Target 11: Ga. District Attorney To Get Roethlisberger Case Soon March 30, 2010: Roethlisberger Doesn't Show For Steelers' Off-Season Workouts March 26, 2010: Report: Manager Told By Accuser's Friend She Was In Bathroom With Roethlisberger March 26, 2010: Lawyers: Roethlisberger Accuser Still Cooperating With Investigators March 25, 2010: Roethlisberger's DNA Controversy: Did Police Ask For It Or Not? March 23, 2010: NFL Commissioner To Meet With Roethlisberger March 22, 2010: Tomlin Speaks Out On Roethlisberger Ordeal March 19, 2010: Steelers' Rooney: Wait And See On Roethlisberger Concern March 17, 2010: Georgia Officials Want To Talk To Roethlisberger's Other Accuser March 15, 2010: New Questions Surrounding Roethlisberger's Security March 12, 2010: WPXI Scopes Out Club Where Alleged Roethlisberger Assault Occurred March 12, 2010: Ga. Police Posed With Roethlisberger Before Alleged Assault March 12, 2010: NFL.com: Steelers' Roethlisberger On Rocky Ground With Rooneys March 12, 2010: Exclusive: Rick Earle Interviews Lead Investigator In Roethlisberger Case March 12, 2010: Attorney For Off-Duty Officer With Roethlisberger Talks To WPXI March 11, 2010: Maker Of 'Big Ben's Beef Jerky' Concerned About Allegations March 10, 2010: Roethlisberger’s Accuser To Return To Ga. College March 9, 2010: Roethlisberger Accuser Drops Out Of College, TMZ Reports March 8, 2010: Roethlisberger's Attorney: 'No Sexual Assault Occurred' March 8, 2010: Investigation Continues After Roethlisberger Accused Of Sex Assault

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