In spite of all the evidence to the contrary, including a purported video of the alleged crime, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has entered a plea of “not guilty ” to two misdemeanor counts of solicitation. Kraft, shockingly, has asked for a jury trial.
Presumably the video in question will the state’s Exhibit A.
Kraft was arrested back in February, along with 200 other people, for engaging in sex acts at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa located in Jupiter, Fla. Kraft was allegedly video taped twice paying for the spa’s special array of services.
From Palm Beach County court records: Robert Kraft waives his arraignment, pleads not guilty to all charges, and requests a jury trial. pic.twitter.com/nMhKztCodd
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) March 26, 2019
On March 23, Kraft released his first official statement on the subject.
“I am truly sorry,” he said. “I know I have hurt and disappointed my family, my close friends, my co-workers, our fans and many others who rightfully hold me to a higher standard.”
Considering that the statement sounds a whole lot like an admission of guilt, it’s surprising that Kraft is fighting the charge. Especially since the prosecution offered him a plea deal a week ago that would have let him skate free, just for admitting that he would have been found guilty if the case had gone to trial. Kraft, apparently, wants to roll the dice to test if it’s true.
Robert Kraft’s ‘sexual and graphic’ spa tapes may be released to public https://t.co/vM6PjoutdQ pic.twitter.com/7xoZu9t8lO
— Page Six (@PageSix) March 22, 2019
Kraft has received support from his fellow NFL owners since he was first arrested. When asked about Kraft’s public apology, New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch said, “I think what Robert said yesterday very publicly, I think it came from his heart. I think he was really addressing his family, his team, his players, his friends and Patriots fans. And, I think, in some ways, 31 other team owners. It’s probably very, very tough for him to make those statements.”
Kraft’s team, the Patriots, open their 2019 season on Sep. 8 on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Their opponent has yet to be determined nor has the punishment that will surely be levied upon him by the NFL, regardless of whether he’s found guilty at trial.
