JUDGE DENIES BID TO SEAL EVIDENCE IN JOSH JACOBS CASE

A judge presiding over the criminal case against Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has denied a request to permanently seal evidence, including surveillance footage said to show the incident at the centre of the case, according to ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky. The judge has instead referred the matter to the relevant police department, which will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to release the records. Jacobs and the victim in the case, who had asked for the evidence to be sealed, will reportedly have the opportunity to appear before any decision is made to release the material.

The case relates to an incident reported to have occurred on 23 May at Jacobs' home in Green Bay, Wisconsin, according to Yahoo Sports. Jacobs pleaded no contest to battery and criminal damage to property in connection with the case. The NFL wants to review the surveillance footage as part of its own assessment of what discipline, if any, to impose on Jacobs under the league's Personal Conduct Policy. Had the evidence been permanently sealed, the league might not have been able to obtain it.

Jacobs remains on the NFL's Commissioner Exempt list, which keeps him on paid leave while the case is resolved. Should the league later impose a suspension without pay, he is reported to receive credit for games already missed while on exempt status. The police department will now determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether the surveillance footage and other evidence sought by the NFL will be released.