NASCAR Suspends Kurt Busch indefinitely Ahead of Daytona 500 in Wake of Protective Order hearing for Ex-Grlfriend Patricia Driscoll (Update: Appeal Denied)

Hmm, before any criminal charges have been made, NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch indefinitely ahead of Daytona 500 … I guess it does not help when your nickname is “The Outlaw”.

Ahead of NASCAR’s biggest race, The Daytona 500, NASCAR has suspended driver Kurt Busch indefinitely, effectively immediately.  The suspension is in the wake of a Family Court of the State of Delaware granting  Kurt Busch’s ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, a protective order, stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident that occurred on September 26, 2014 where Busch is accused of choking her. Kurt Busch and his legal team have denied the allegations and have put forth that notion that Patricia Driscoll is woman scorned, who has set out on a path to destroy Busch. It is a case of she said, he said, with a twist, a bizarre twist. Kurt Busch says his ex is a “trained assassin”.

NASCAR has suspended driver Kurt Busch for an indefinite period of time, which means he will not be in Sunday’s Daytona 500, pending an appeal.

“Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Kurt Busch, effective immediately,” NASCAR said in a statement. “He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.”

Busch will appeal the decision, but Regan Smith has been named his official replacement and will fill Busch’s seat on Sunday.

“We are extremely disappointed that NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch and we plan an immediate appeal,” Busch’s attorney Rusty Hardin said in a statement. “We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold.”

The former champion and current driver for Stewart-Haas has spent the last six months embroiled in a dispute with his former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll. The precipitating event was an incident at Dover, Del., last fall in which Busch allegedly choked Driscoll. During that Sept. 26 incident at Busch’s motor home, Busch claimed he simply “cupped her head” and she struck her head by accident, while Driscoll claimed she was choked and thrown into a wall.

NASCAR STATEMENT:

NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch for actions detrimental to stock car racing following the release today of a supplemental disposition setting forth the findings and conclusions that formed the basis for the Family Court of the State of Delaware’s decision on Monday to issue an Order of Protection from Abuse against him.

Busch, driver of the No. 41 car, was found to be in violation of:

• Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing
• Section 12.8: Behavioral Penalty

“Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately. He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.

“Kurt Busch and his Stewart-Haas Racing team are fully aware of our position and why this decision was made. We will continue to respect the process and timetable of the authorities involved.”

This is the first driver that NASCAR has ever suspended for domestic violence. It appears the NFL has spread to NASCAR. Obviously NASCAR felt the need to get ahead of this issue, having seen how badly NFL Roger Goodell handled the Ray Rice knock out of his girlfriend in a hotel elevator last year. Even before criminal charges were filed, NASCAR has decided to put the brakes on Kurt Busch.

It’s important to note that Busch has not yet been charged with any crime in the alleged incident — that is still an open investigation with the Delaware Attorney General’s office.

And let’s be clear: There are plenty of people in the NASCAR garage area who have their own opinions about Driscoll, her motives and her credibility.

But Jones’ ruling regarding the protective order was worded so strongly in Driscoll’s favor that it left NASCAR with no choice but to suspend Busch — especially in light of recent high-profile cases of domestic abuse or assault involving athletes, particularly NFL players Ray Rice, Greg Hardy and Adrian Peterson.

The American public appears to have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to public figures and domestic abuse.

Patricia Driscoll Granted Restraining Order Against Kurt Busch

UPDATE I: Kurt Busch’s suspension upheld by panel.

An appeals panel upheld NASCAR’s indefinite suspension of driver Kurt Busch on Saturday, one day after the sanctioning body handed down punishment based on the findings of a Delaware family court.

NASCAR announced the decision from its headquarters at the International Motorsports Center, where Busch’s appeal was heard by a three-member panel consisting of Mr. Paul Brooks, Ms. Lyn St. James and Mr. Kevin Whitaker.

Busch will file a final appeal to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer, Bryan Moss.

State Attorney Phil Archer Announces Aggravated Assault Charges Won’t Be Filed Against George Zimmerman

ASSAULT CHARGES DROPPED AGAIN …

On Friday, State Attorney Phil Archer, whose jurisdiction includes Brevard and Seminole counties, announced that his office will not pursue aggravated assault charges against George Zimmerman. The often in trouble Zimmerman, since being acquitted of murder in the death of Trayvon Martin, was arrested on 1/9/15 and booked for aggravated assault and domestic violence with a weapon in Lake Mary, Florida. Zimmerman was accused of throwing a wine bottle at his girlfriend. However, Phil Archer stated that there was been a subsequent recantation by the alleged victim of her initial statement along with “new documents provided by the victim and her attorney precludes my office from proceeding further”.

George Zimmerman was arrested, again, this month in the suspected aggravated assault of a girlfriend. And, again, a Florida prosecutor has opted not to press formal charges — after the alleged victim backed off her claims.

State Attorney Phil Archer, whose jurisdiction includes Brevard and Seminole counties, announced Friday that his office won’t file charges against Zimmerman, who first came to the world’s attention for his arrest and eventual acquittal in the 2012 shooting death of African-American teenager Trayvon Martin.

Friday’s announcement relates to the 31-year-old’s arrest in Lake Mary, Florida, on January 9.

“While it clear that the officers had probable cause to arrest Mr. Zimmerman, which was affirmed by the circuit court judge at initial appearances, the subsequent recantation by the (alleged) victim of her initial statement along with new documents provided by the victim and her attorney precludes my office from proceeding further,” Archer said.

The woman has since denied that Zimmerman threw a bottle or that she ever feared him, according to a statement Friday from Lake Mary police.

“She also made it clear that she did not want to proceed with the case,” said police, noting that Lake Mary police Chief Steve Bracknell “concurred with Archer’s decision.” “A lack of eyewitnesses or other corroborating evidence to dispute her version of the incident also contributed to the decision.”

This is the second time that domestic violence charges have been dropped against Zimmerman. Back in 2013, domestic violence charges were dropped against George Zimmerman after his girlfriend, Samantha Scheibe, recanted in an affidavit that Zimmerman pointed a gun at her face.

A NOTE TO GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: GO AWAY!!! GO INTO HIDING, MAYBE TRY THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM, SOMETHING.  OJ SIMPSON USED TO PULL THIS SAME NONSENSE AFTER HE WAS ACQUITTED AND LOOK WHERE HE WOUND UP. TAKE A LESSON, FROM OF ALL PEOPLE CASEY ANTHONY, CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY AND REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE PUBLIC VIEW. CONTINUE TO BE A NARCISSIST AND YOU WILL EVENTUALLY WIND UP IN PRISON.

George Zimmerman Arrested and Charged with Domestic Violence in Lake Mary, FL … Throwing Wine Bottle at Girlfriend

WHAT A SURPRISE THAT GEORGE ZIMMERMAN FINDS HIMSELF IN TROUBLE AGAIN … THIS IS ZIMMERMAN’S THIRD ARREST IN RECENT YEARS. 

31 year old George Zimmerman finds himself in trouble with the law again, this time he was arrested and booked Friday night for aggravated assault and domestic violence with a weapon in  Lake Mary, Florida. Zimmerman is accused of throwing a wine bottle at his girlfriend.  Seminole County Judge John Galluzzo set Zimmerman’s bond at $5,000, prohibited him from any contact with the victim, returning to her home or entering Volusia County and must surrender all fire arms. What are the odds that Zimmerman will abide by the court’s order? Following his acquittal in the death of Trayvon Martin in 2013,  Zimmerman seems to not be able to stay out of trouble.  George Zimmerman is due The judge also ordered Zimmerman to pack up any personal belongings the woman may have left at Zimmerman’s home and give them to his lawyer. Zimmerman is expected back in court at 1:30 p.m. February 17, 2015 in front of Judge Donna McIntosh.

The 31-year-old was booked around 9:45 p.m. for aggravated assault — domestic violence with a weapon. According to Don West, Zimmerman’s attorney, his client threw a wine bottle during the incident.

Zimmerman is prohibited from contacting the victim, returning to her home or entering Volusia County. He must surrender all firearms by Tuesday, but will not have to wear a GPS monitoring device.

Pic – Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

CNN

George Zimmerman — the man acquitted by a Florida jury over the death of Trayvon Martin — was arrested Friday in Florida on suspicion of aggravated assault and domestic violence with a weapon, local authorities said.

The 31-year-old Florida man was arrested by police in Lake Mary around 10 p.m. and booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, according to that facility’s website. That facility, like its website, is run by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

VIDEO – Orlando Sentinel, George Zimmerman charged with aggravated assault

Sun Sentinel – Lawyer: George Zimmerman charged after throwing bottle of wine at girlfriend.

George Zimmerman faces charges of aggravated assault with a weapon after allegedly throwing a bottle of wine at his girlfriend earlier this week, according to his lawyer.

Zimmerman, 31, was arrested Friday night in Lake Mary where he is currently living, but his attorney Don West said the fight involving his girlfriend happened four or five days ago.

Lake Mary Police spokeswoman Officer Bianca Gillett said the fight happened at Zimmerman’s Valley Wood Way residence in Lake Mary on Monday night, but nobody involved called the cops.

Police found out about the fight when they pulled Zimmerman’s girlfriend over for a routine traffic stop, Gillett said. More information about the incident was not immediately available.

Wearing blue scrubs and Crocs, Zimmerman stood before Judge John Galluzzo this morning where a $5,000 bond was set. It’s unclear if and when Zimmerman, who is currently unemployed, will post bond. West said he was not going to pay Zimmerman’s bond.

Even though this incident didn’t involve a firearm, Galluzzo told Zimmerman that he had until Tuesday to surrender any firearms in his possession.

24 Year Old Police Officer Tyler Stewart Shot & Killed in Flagstaff, AZ While Investigation a Domestic Violence Call … Murdered by Robert W. Smith

FOLKS, THIS IS THE REASON WHY POLICE OFFICERS AT EVEN WHAT YOU CONSIDER ROUTINE STOPS, ACT LIKE IT IS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION …

24 year old Flagstaff police officer Tyler Stewart was shot and killed on Saturday as he responded to a domestic violence call in Flagstaff, Arizona. Officer Stewart while responding to an earlier domestic violence call in the 800 block of West Clay Avenue in Flagstaff when he encountered suspect Robert W. Smith of Prescott, AZ. Officer Stewart was ambushed and shot dead by Robert W. Smith. The cop killer then turned the gun on himself and shot himself dead.

Officer Stewart, Rest in Peace. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends and Flagstaff police department.

Flagstaff police officer Tyler Jacob Stewart, 24, was shot and killed during a confrontation
with a domestic violence suspect Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, in Flagstaff, Arizona

Officer Tyler Stewart encountered a suspect at a home in the 800 block of West Clay Avenue during an investigation of an earlier domestic-violence call, spokeswoman Sgt. Margaret Bentzen said. Robert W. Smith of Prescott, fired several shots at Stewart, who was outside his patrol car, police said. Smith then shot himself dead, according to police.

Additional officers were dispatched after Stewart’s emergency button went off and dispatchers could no longer get a verbal reply from him, Bentzen said. He was rushed to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

“This is an enormous tragedy for our department and the family of our officer,” Flagstaff Police Chief Kevin Treadway said in a statement. “We are a very close-knit organization, and know that all members of the Flagstaff Police Department are grieving at this time. With that being said, all of the men and women of the Flagstaff Police Department extend our prayers and condolences to the family of our Officer Tyler Stewart.”

VIDEO – ABC15 Arizona

Flagstaff officer risked his life for us … routinely.

I could not have said it any better than AZ Central columnist EJ Montini, when it comes to what police officers routinely do in putting themselves into harms way no matter how deadly or not the common person thinks it is.

“Every ‘routine’ call is routine until it’s not,” a police officer told me once. “Which is why you have to assume that every call is not routine. And even then… it might not save you.”

This was decades ago. I was standing in the back parking lot of a convenience store where a Phoenix police officer has been killed after a “routine” confrontation with a shoplifter.

This is what they do for us.

They risk everything each time they pull over a driver for speeding or a broken taillight, not knowing what to expect when they approach the driver’s window. Each time they answer a “routine” call for a shoplifter, an aggressive panhandler, a disorderly drunk, a possible domestic dispute.

Every “routine” call represents their willingness to put their lives on the line.

That’s what they do for us.

TOP 10 AP Sports Stories of 2014 … NFL Domestic Violence #1 … However, They Missed a Few, Including #22 Lauren Hill

AP has released their TOP 10 stories of 2014. Some I would agree with; however, I think they missed a few glaring oversights, in favor of the cause-celeb issues of the day. At least in the mind of the media and not the common sports fan. AP made the NFL domestic violence issues their top story, which sadly, I do agree with. Although, it is not like domestic violence is something new to the NFL. It has been around for decades, it has just been swept under the carpet, much like the steroids and concussion issues.

Does anyone notice a glaring omission from AP’s stories below? With all the clamor about the Washington Redskin’s and their offense name, how come that one was no where to be found?

1. NFL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Baltimore Ravens star running back Ray Rice knocked his now-wife unconscious in an Atlantic City casino elevator Feb. 15, but it wasn’t until July 24 that domestic violence cases spiraled into a crisis roiling the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Rice for just two games, which drew widespread derision. More than a month passed before Goodell admitted he “didn’t get it right” and announced harsher sanctions for future domestic violence offenses.

But the NFL’s problems were only beginning. On Sept. 8, TMZ Sports released video from inside the elevator that showed Rice punching his then-fiancee; the Ravens responded by releasing him and Goodell suspended him indefinitely. And on Sept. 12, one of the league’s biggest stars, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, was indicted on felony child abuse charges for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son. The Vikings initially planned to play him just over a week later, reversing course only after the ensuing uproar. [editors note: looks like AP forgot Carolina Panther's DE Greg Hardy, Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Dwyer, and San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald who was just released by the 49ers after another allegation of domestic violence.

The year ends with Rice reinstated by an arbitrator but without a team and Peterson suspended and suing the NFL. Chastened by those and other cases, the league is pushing a new personal conduct policy, but the players' union is balking at Goodell's role in the disciplinary process.

2. CLIPPERS' STERLING BANNED
3. LEBRON GOES HOME:
4. FIRSTS FOR GAY ATHLETES - [editors note: not sure if this story gets top 10, not because of not being important, more so because Michael Sam never made a starting roster and was eventually cut from the Ram's practice squad and never resigned by another team].
5. GIANTS WIN WORLD SERIES
6. COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PAYS OFF – [editors note: This was a huge story for college football; however, it will soon be changed to 8 teams and not 4.]
7. TONY STEWART:
8. WORLD CUP:
9. SEAHAWKS WIN SUPER BOWL – [editors note: Once again QB Peyton Manning choked in the big game as the Legion of Boom and Seattle Seahawks dominated the Denver Broncos 43-8. I am not even sure if the game was that close. The score was 36-0 before Broncos decided to score a meaningless TD.]
10. SOCHI OLYMPICS:

Many of the above stories were covered by Scared Monkeys, I think a couple should be added that are glaring commissions from AP’s top 10.

All my life I have been a Boston Red Sox fan and have hated the vile NY Yankees, but I will be the first to admit that the retirement of Derek Jeter should have easily been in the top 10. What about the NCAA College basketball center of the universe being located in Storrs, Connecticut? In 2014 the UCONN Huskies Men’s and Women’s teams were proved they were both “Best in Show” as they won National Championships. The  men for the 4th time as the #7 seed University of Connecticut Huskies defeat the #8 seed Kentucky Wildcats, 60-54. Then, the following night, Geno Auriemma’s (40-0) Lady Huskies routed Notre Dame 79-58  for their 9th title.  This accomplishment had only happened one time before in D1, by the UCONN Huskies in 2004.

Maybe the best sports story of 2014 and maybe the most inspirational of 2014, which was completely missed by all sports pundits, is the story of freshman forward Lauren Hill of the Division III Mount St. Josephs. Lauren is dying of inoperable brain cancer. It is a story that will touch your heart. I will write more about this in a separate post as it is my #1 story of 2014 in a year that had so many negative ones.

Lauren Hill