Joey Porter pleads guilty, but NFL will have final say on whether he keeps his job



… miscarriage of "justice" 

Pittsburgh Steeler assistant coach Joey Porter got off with a slap on the wrist instead of felony charges thanks to Allegheny County D.A. Stephen Zappala, but the police officer who arrested him make clear that he was unhappy with the verdict of the D.A.

"I don't consent to it," Pittsburgh police officer Paul Abel, who alleges that he was assaulted by Porter, something that was verified by the videos of the event, said at the hearing before a district magistrate.

The result was a $300 fine for Porter's actions, which took place outside a Pittsburgh bar after a Steelers win over the Dolphins in January. The original charges included aggravated arrest and resisting arrest, serious charges, but Zappala agreed to not prosecute those after allegedly watching a video of the incident.

Ironically, a police oversight group leader did watch the videos, and it verified what the police allege Porter did in his drunken rage.

Porter's attorney attempted to downplay the incident, saying that "unintentionally and momentarily grab[bed] the wrists of a police officer," according to the Post-Gazette.

The video may tell a different story.

NFL Personal Conduct Policy

The Pittsburgh Police chief has said that he would release the video after the legal process had run its course, and now the people will have an opportunity to view it and make up their minds.

The others who will be looking into it will be the NFL, which has a Personal Conduct Policy that has been pretty strict, especially since the Ray Rice domestic abuse incident a few years ago.

The video, along with serious allegations made by area police about Porter's behavior at his son's high school games, when he was accompanied by his boss, Mike Tomlin, will enter into the conduct investigation.

Porter's attorney said that he had not spoken to the NFL, and he may not have the opportunity until the investigation is completed.

The influence of the Rooneys got him off in the bar altercation, but the NFL decision may not include them in its deliberations.

At that point, he will know his fate.

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