Packers running back Josh Jacobs just filed a lawsuit, demanding that evidence in his battery case gets permanently sealed. This isn’t just a minor legal skirmish, though. The suit was filed Wednesday in Brown County Circuit Court against the Hobart-Lawrence (Wisconsin) Police Department, and it comes after Jacobs already pleaded no contest last month to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges. Yeah, you read that right, he already entered a plea.
The Video Everyone Wants to See Gone
The whole thing started with an altercation back in May with his then-girlfriend. Jacobs was charged in late August, and the criminal complaint against him dropped a bombshell: there’s surveillance video from a camera system in their garage, and guess what? It totally backs up the woman’s statement. That video hasn’t seen the light of day, and frankly, her lawyers already filed a motion last month asking to seal it. Now Jacobs’ lawyer, Clarence Duchac, is echoing that sentiment in his complaint, stating Jacobs “joins and supports (the victim’s) position that the identifying, private and sensitive records associated with the underlying incident should not be publicly released.” This is wild because the NFL already put the three-time Pro Bowler on the commissioner’s exempt list right after he was charged, meaning he can’t play or practice, even though he’s still getting paid.
Why Everyone’s Fighting to Keep It Secret
Duchac’s complaint argues this isn’t just about Jacobs. Releasing identifying records or sensitive info about the victim “would force unwanted exposure upon her and risk revictimizing her through renewed public scrutiny.” The complaint specifically wants to block the police from publicly releasing any “descriptions, images, audio recordings, video recordings, statements, communications, or other materials” that might mess with her “privacy, dignity, safety, emotional well-being, or ability to obtain closure.” But here’s the kicker: Jacobs’ lawyer also argues that releasing the video could put *him* at risk. Apparently, public sports figures have been targeted for robberies and other property crimes, and showing off details of his garage’s interior could literally create a blueprint for criminals. The complaint even states, “The public availability of (Jacobs’) schedule or travel information increases the risk that persons could identify periods when (Jacobs) is away from home and use released information concerning the residence, garage, access points, security arrangements, or property to target the property.” Seriously? They’re worried “widespread public dissemination of those details would materially increase (Jacobs’) vulnerability to theft, burglary, robbery, trespass, or other targeted criminal conduct.” That’s a huge claim about a video that’s already tied to a plea.
What Went Down and What’s Next
Let’s rewind to the incident itself. Jacobs was arrested May 26, three days after police showed up at his Wisconsin home for a disturbance. According to police reports, the woman told them Jacobs grabbed her and threw her to the ground as she was trying to leave through a garage door. She hit her head. And then he apparently snatched her phone while she was still on the ground. Police confirmed they saw redness on her face and neck and could feel a bump on the back of her head. Under an agreement with prosecutors, that criminal damage charge might get dismissed in a year, but Jacobs has to stay out of trouble, avoid the victim, submit to supervision, complete counseling, and pay restitution. This lawsuit adds another huge layer to an already complex situation, and with the video at the center of it all, we’ll see what the court decides for the three-time Pro Bowler. He’s still stuck on that exempt list, not playing, while all this plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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