Apparently there is more than one lawsuit against Dareus for similar allegations.

https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-marcell...00370.html

Again, I preface by indicating I do not know all of the facts of either civil complaint.

But taking the complaints at face value, without seeing Dareus' official responsive pleadings to either case or hearing any evidence in either case, I tentatively conclude

1. The suit filed in Hillsborough County seems more credible/plausible than the other suit alleging Dareus raped her and gave her herpes.

2. Taken together at face value, both allegations have common traits that have-at face value-a corroborative effect and serve to paint Dareus in a very negative light.

The pursuit of truth and justice require their claims to withstand scrutiny in the light and context of all available evidence, including cross examination by Dareus' counsel, assuming these civil complaints proceed to trial.

That said, there is an important distinction. Even though the allegations here involve acts, which, if true, would constitute criminal offenses, these are civil actions, not criminal. In criminal cases, there is the time worn presumption of innocence for criminal defendants until proven guilty. Guilt and innocence are not what's being established in civil cases. Liability or non liability for economic harm resulting from wrongdoing is the issue. Thus, while judges and juries in civil cases should be free from bias, determine what the facts are and weigh them and apply them to the law accordingly in rendering their verdicts, there is no larger obligatory societal presumption of innocence for civil defendants.

I am trying to be objective here, though my pro Jaguars bias makes it a bit more difficult.

Similarly, I am trying to give Dareus the benefit of the doubt in these cases. But as I indicated above, the common traits of these complaints from two different women in two different states have a corroborative effect that work to erode the benefit of the doubt I am trying to give to him.

Dareus' physical attributes and his ability as a football player are undeniably assets to a team with Super Bowl aspirations. His run stopping and pass rush abilities added to the roster put the finishing touches on a dominant, Super Bowl caliber defense.

But the cumulative effect of these allegations could serve to be an unwanted distraction to a young team, could reduce his availability to the team if the commissioner finds him to have violated the league's personal conduct policy, and damage the image of a team that is trying to broaden its fan base locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The cloud the serious nature of these allegations places over the team at the dawn of training camp and their potential repercussions could substantially mitigate if not completely offset what his physical abilities bring to the team. This places his spot on this roster on a more tenuous footing-as it should, because it potentially sabotages the on and off field ambitions of this franchise.

Furthermore these allegations potentially place his own personal reputation, professional future, financial security and personal liberty at risk. The news of his donation to Haiti-revealed within the last month- has been all but forgotten. If suspended or cut because of these allegations, he stands to lose millions, both from his current contract and from the loss of marketability for him to obtain an offer from another team. Depending upon the available evidence in these claims, they could theoretically result in criminal prosecution, or if this fact pattern of behavior is repeated, the next woman may not be so reluctant to report him to the police.

Should he extricate himself from these civil actions without any finding of liability in these cases or not, there has to be a change in him somewhere, somehow.

The status quo alternative is untenable for the team and himself.

My dismay over this thread's existence is incalculable.

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