Latest updates on Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice from attorney Royce West's Thursday press conference

Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice's attorney, Royce West of West & Associates LLP, held a press conference on Thursday afternoon to update media members on the developing situation surrounding the multi-vehicle crash on Saturday, March 30. Rice released his own statement regarding the accident on Wednesday afternoon. West further clarified that Rice had met with Dallas PD investigators, […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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Royce West pictured during Thursday's press conference.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice's attorney, Royce West of West & Associates LLP, held a press conference on Thursday afternoon to update media members on the developing situation surrounding the multi-vehicle crash on Saturday, March 30. 

Rice released his own statement regarding the accident on Wednesday afternoon. West further clarified that Rice had met with Dallas PD investigators, and continues to cooperate fully with their investigation. 

"First of all, thank you for being here," West began. "We recognize that this is a very important issue in the city. And it's also gained national attention. I want to say on behalf of Mr. [Rashee] Rice, that he has fully cooperated with the Dallas Police Department, every question that was asked of him, he responded to the Dallas Police Department. And we will continue to cooperate with them." 

West confirmed that during his interview with Dallas PD, Rice acknowledged to investigators that he was driving the Lamborghini. He says that Rice is committed to making sure that those involved in the accident, in terms of both bodily injury and property damage, are compensated and return to a sense of normalcy. 

"In terms of the persons involved in this accident," West continued. "Mr. Rice wants to make certain that it's understood and appreciated that he's going to do everything in his power to bring their life back to as normal as possible. In terms of injuries, in terms of property damage, he'll make certain that he is responsible for helping them to get through that particular part of this."

The belief at the time is that no one suffered serious bodily injury, but West continues to gather facts from the legal representation of the victims. Ultimately, West says the goal is to have transparency while also balancing the constitutional rights of his client. West also asks that the public not rush to judgment on Rice and wait for the facts of the case to come out. 

"Why don't you do a story of who he is, as opposed to what occurred because it seems as though what you're saying is, based on this one incident, you're going to define him based on this incident, as opposed to his entire body of work," West told reporters. "I would say to each and every one of you, If all of us had to be defined by one incident, then that would be ridiculous, as opposed to our entire body of work. So I'd ask that you as the media, look at his entire body of work before saying exactly who he is."

As for why Rice fled the scene of the accident, he'll potentially get a chance to answer that question himself. 

"The fact is, you got a 23-year-old young man that's never been in this type of situation before," West said. "You will get an opportunity to hear from him, hopefully within the next week."

West says he has not spoken with anyone within the Chiefs organization and that football isn't on anyone's mind right now. 

"My main focus over this last few days has been to number one, understand as best possible, the facts," West proclaimed. "And I don't still don't have all of the facts. Okay, and make certain that the police department understood that Rashee was not running for men about it trying to hide from anyone but wanted to cooperate, which we've done. We've answered the questions that were asked of us and then make certain also that we prioritize visiting with the families or representatives of the families that were involved in this accident. That has been our priorities."

West adds that the investigation remains incomplete, and detectives indicated no police report on the incident had yet been filed. Asked if he expected the Dallas District Attorney to file charges against Rice, West gave a blunt answer: "Yes." 
He added that Rice will cooperate with the Dallas DA when the case is handed off to them. 

"You have a young man 23 years old and has never been involved in anything like this," West concluded. "People were injured, his heart goes out to them. And he's watching his whole life play out in the media and then his career also, but basically his whole life. Again, don't judge him just based on this incident. . . He's a young man, that made a mistake. How many of you have made a mistake? And you're judged by that mistake that you've made? Is that fair? But I can tell you this. But for the grace of God, someone could have been injured. I mean, seriously injured. He understands that, and he appreciates it. That's why he wanted to come out and say that he's going to be responsible for making certain that the victims are made whole as best possible." 

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