Machota: Trial date set for Cowboys OL Ron Leary

[boozeman]

Trial date set for Cowboys OL Ron Leary, who was arrested for DWI in September of 2012

SportsDayDFW.com

Published: 26 June 2014 09:35 PM

Updated: 26 June 2014 10:20 PM


A trial date of July 14 has been set for Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Ronald Leary, who was arrested by Irving police for driving while intoxicated on Sept. 7, 2012.

If Leary, 25, is found guilty of the Class B misdemeanor, he would be subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Although the league has been exploring tougher penalties that would include a suspension for a first time offender, it’s likely that Leary would face only a fine under the NFL’s current agreement.

Leary is the third Cowboys player to be arrested for DWI since September 2012. Former defensive tackle Jay Ratliff, who is now playing in Chicago, was arrested in January 2013.

Former Dallas defensive tackle Josh Brent was arrested in December 2012 and later convicted of intoxication manslaughter for the crash that killed his teammate and best friend Jerry Brown.

Leary, who signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in April 2012, started all 16 games last season at left guard. He worked with the first-team offensive line at that position throughout organized team activities and minicamp.

Leary and Mackenzy Bernadeau are expected to compete for the starting left guard spot during training camp next month. The Cowboys added some veteran depth to the guard position this week, agreeing to terms with former Jaguar Uche Nwaneri.

Jon Machota
---------------------

I had no idea he had a DWI hanging over his head.

Silly me, I thought all of this interest in guard depth lately was the light finally going on for this organization.

Wrong.

 

[Cotton]

Silly me, I thought all of this interest in guard depth lately was the light finally going on for this organization.

Wrong.

Yep, it now looks like they were prepping for this.

 

[NoDak]

Although the league has been exploring tougher penalties that would include a suspension for a first time offender, it’s likely that Leary would face only a fine under the NFL’s current agreement.

Prepping for what? His 2nd offense? It doesn't look like he'll miss any time.

 

[boozeman]

Prepping for what? His 2nd offense? It doesn't look like he'll miss any time.

I do believe that if for some reason he entered the league under step one of the conduct program, he could face suspension.

 

[NoDak]

I do believe that if for some reason he entered the league under step one of the conduct program, he could face suspension.

It said the DUI was Sep '12. He signed with the Cowboys Apr '12, so he was already in the league. Why would he have entered the league under step one if that was his first offense like is mentioned?

 

[boozeman]

It said the DUI was Sep '12. He signed with the Cowboys Apr '12, so he was already in the league. Why would he have entered the league under step one if that was his first offense like is mentioned?

There are players who enter the league in the program....Josh Gordon for example. I don't think Leary got into any trouble in college, but who knows.

 

[p1_]

This was kept under wraps. Now all this guard signing activity makes alot more sense. Leary is going down, and it ain't his bum knee.

 

[hstour]

Source: Leary won't face suspension
June, 27, 2014
10:25 AM ET
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

Dallas Cowboys starting left guard Ronald Leary will not be suspended by the NFL regarding a two-year old DWI charge, according to a source.

According to court documents, Leary was arrested in Irving, Texas, on Sept. 7, 2012, two days after the Cowboys' season opener at the New York Giants.

There has been numerous court dates postponed since the original arrest. Leary, who was a rookie practice squad player at the time of the arrest, didn't get promoted to the active roster until that December.

When an NFL player is charged with a DWI offense, he's placed into the league's substance abuse program. Once that player completes the program, the league considers the legal matter over based on the facts of any particular case.

Adisa Bakari, Leary's agent, and Cowboys' officials declined comment.

The Cowboys had three players arrested for DWI charges within a five-month period two years ago.

Following Leary's arrest, defensive lineman Josh Brent was charged with intoxication manslaughter in Irving, Texas, on Dec. 8, which resulted in the death of practice-squad teammate Jerry Brown.

On Jan. 22, 2013, defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff was charged with DWI in Grapevine, Texas, after hitting a tractor trailer.

 

[data]

~headswing to LT Fan~

 

[p1_]

When an NFL player is charged with a DWI offense, he's placed into the league's substance abuse program. Once that player completes the program, the league considers the legal matter over based on the facts of any particular case.

Interesting. Seems a pretty mild hand slap. Perhaps appropriate to the crime. Unless, of course, someone dies in the process.

 

[boozeman]

Ronald Leary fined and on probation


Updated: July 14, 2014, 4:43 PM ET

Associated Press

DALLAS -- A Cowboys offensive lineman has pleaded guilty to a first-time drunken driving charge.

Ronald Leary was arrested in suburban Dallas in September 2012 after failing a field sobriety test. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, he was pulled over for multiple traffic violations and on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Online court records show the Cowboys' starting left guard pleaded guilty Thursday. He will receive 18 months of probation and a $1,000 fine.

A message seeking comment was left with his attorney Monday.

Leary was a Memphis University guard before the Cowboys signed him as a free agent in 2012. He has had a chronic knee problem.