Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs appeared in Brown County court on Thursday as a judge considered whether evidence from his misdemeanor battery case should be permanently sealed.
The hearing centred on a renewed application filed by attorneys for the woman involved in the case, who are seeking to protect her privacy under Wisconsin’s Marsy’s Law. The original request was rejected after Judge Marc Hammer said it had been submitted in the wrong format.
Lawyers for the woman subsequently resubmitted the motion, although they have not disclosed what the formatting error involved. The court has yet to rule on the revised application.
Josh Jacobs court hearing over evidence
The evidence includes home surveillance footage which, according to court filings, captured an argument and showed Jacobs throwing the woman to the ground. Prosecutors also alleged that he damaged her phone and that she suffered a head injury.
Wisconsin voters approved Marsy’s Law in April 2020. The constitutional amendment gives crime victims a range of rights, including protections relating to privacy and dignity.
Jacobs, 28, pleaded no contest on September 10 to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges arising from a May incident involving his girlfriend.
A Brown County judge fined him $1,000 for the battery offence and approved a deferred judgment agreement on the property-damage charge. Under the agreement, Jacobs must avoid further legal trouble, complete counselling and a battery intervention programme, stay away from the woman and pay restitution.
If he complies with those conditions for a year, the criminal damage charge will be dismissed. The battery conviction remains on his record.
