Law and Order

A video surfaced on the internet of AJ Martin, former NFL star, sexually assaulting his girlfriend, Paula Bryant. The couple was attending the Black and White Gala at a New York City event. The video depicts the duo exiting through a stairwell, arguing, and Martin hitting Bryant in a way that can be considered sexual assault. After being detained and interviewed, Martin declined to accept a plea deal brought forth by the Assistant District Attorney. He was under the impression that the police department and District Attorney’s office would not take any more action in the case. The Special Victims Unit saw the video posted online and decided to investigate in the case. Soon after interviewing the two, a second video emerged via the internet of Martin hitting Bryant in the face and dragging her body out of the stairwell and into their vehicle. Even after this video was posted, Martin declined assaulting his wife and she defended him. Martin was charged with assault in the third degree, which can result in 90 days of incarceration. Before the trial, Martin and Bryant got married.

If I were the Defense Attorney in this case, there are a couple of things that I would do. A claim that fits the stories of Martin and Bryant is self-defense. Martin claimed that he and Bryant had both been drinking and that she got jealous, made a scene, and then started to come after him. Bryant agrees that she provoked the incident. Martin says that he was just trying to make sure that Bryant didn’t get too out-of-hand while she was intoxicated and that when she came after him, his decision making was impaired due to his alcohol consumption the night of the incident. Bryant stands completely behind him and never even sought after medical attention that night. She had no serious injuries and was never medically examined. I would also bring up the fact that the two were previously arrested due to the department’s protocol that night, but were released after they had been interviewed. I would call the officers from that night to the stand and ask why they felt Martin and Bryant should be released. I would also mention that Martin is a first time offender and has no previous records. Also, Martin and Bryant are now married; by law, a husband and wife do not have to testify against each other in court. This could benefit my case and Bryant wouldn’t have to face the State Attorney or testify.

The defense attorney did a lot of the same things as I did. When the state attorney claimed that Martin’s blow could have killed Bryant, she brought up the fact that there was no proof of that since Bryant had never even been medically examined that night. She also