Ray Rice Indicted On More Serious Charge Than Expected

Surprising news in the case of Ravens RB Ray Rice, accused of knocking his fiancée unconscious at an Atlantic City casino last month. He's been indicted on a more serious charge than prosecutors initially asked for, one that could carry a sentence of three to five years in prison.

Rice initially faced a charge of simple assault, but prosecutors presented a charge of aggravated assault to a grand jury, which returned an indictment. It's a big difference: Simple assault carries a maximum of six month in prison, while aggravated assault has a maximum of three to five years. Considering neither Rice nor his fiancée, Janay Palmer, want this case to be tried, it's probably safe to assume the reported video of the alleged knockout punch exists.

Prosecutors this afternoon also announced they had dismissed the complaint against Palmer, who will not face charges.

Rice's attorney had a brief statement upon news of the increased charge:

"Ray Rice is not going to put blame on Janay Palmer," Diamondstein said. "The state chose only to prosecute Ray Rice, and we ask that the public reserve judgment until all the facts come out."