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Content warning: This article contains upsetting descriptions of an alleged sexual assault.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Josh Sills chose towaive his arraignmenton Feb. 16, and will make his first court appearance in Ohio next month where he will stand trial for accusations of rape and kidnapping.
According to ESPN, the rookie, 25, chose to not appear at the Guernsey County Common Pleas Court, where a representative entered a not guilty plea for charges of rape of the first degree and kidnapping on his behalf. He remains free after posting a $25,000 cash bond, and will appear in court on March 6.
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He continued to roughly assault her, according to the police report, and at one point grabbed the victim’s leg “so hard she couldn’t breathe.” The responding officer reported bruising behind her knee, per the police report.
After the incident, the alleged victim, who was 21 at the time, went to the hospital where an MRI scan checked for “strangulation injuries” and she was treated for bruising in her inner lip and the back of her throat.
Sills and the alleged victim had known each other for seven or eight years and attended high school together, the police report stated.
On Feb. 1, the NFL placed Sills on the league’s Commissioner Exempt List, barring him from participating in any team travel or activities — a little over a week ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles' appearance in the Super Bowl.
“Sills may not participate in practices and games or travel with the team while on the Commissioner Exempt List,“the NFL said in a statement. “The matter will be reviewed under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.”
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In a statement issued to PEOPLE, the Philadelphia Eagles said, “The organization is aware of the legal matter involving Josh Sills. We have been in communication with the league office and are in the process of gathering more information. We have no further comment at this time.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
