This offseason has been eventful for the Cowboys. The cowboy team has had to deal with some sporting issues (such as the abrupt departure of Randy Gregory) as well as off-the-field issues. And, in this section, in the last hours one more problem was added. This time, related to one of the Dallas cornerbacks.
As reported by The Dallas Morning News Thursday night, Dallas police have requested to interview defensive back Kelvin Joseph. According to the information, Joseph is a person of interest in the investigation of a murder that occurred during the early hours of March 18, outside a bar on Greenville Avenue.
Dallas police want to interview Cowboys CB Kelvin Joseph for his involvement in an altercation on the night a 20-year-old man was fatally shot in March, sources told the @dallasnews. Cowboys officials don’t believe Joseph was the shooter. https://t.co/fvGbcHooPd
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 15, 2022
The victim in this incident was identified as 20-year-old Cameron Ray. According to initial reports, there was an altercation between two groups moments before the murder. Ray was in one of the groups, while Joseph was in the group where the killer was.
Among the first information that circulated in this regard this Friday are some recordings of a security camera during the night of the incident. In these images, a subject appears with a hooded sweatshirt and a necklace with the letters “YKDV”. This last element is the one that points to the presence of Joseph in the incident, since that necklace is allusive to his rapper pseudonym, “YKDV Bossman Fat”.
Not saying he is involved directly but he will have some explaining to do #CowboysNation
The video shows a video of the alleged suspects. This individual (believed to be Kelvin Joseph) is observed wearing a chain with the letters “YKDV” Doesnt’ help KJ deleted his IG as well. pic.twitter.com/uqBCYOeoSH
— Stephen Mac (@Stephen_Mac03) April 14, 2022
At first, Dallas police did not believe that Kelvin Joseph shot Cameron Ray, leading to his eventual death. However, it was speculated that the cornerback was with the murderer at the time of the event. And that was something that was confirmed during the afternoon on Friday, this after Joseph was interviewed by the police.
In fact, this same Friday it was possible to know more information about what happened. Barry Sorrels, Joseph’s attorney, revealed additional details about the facts connecting his client to the incident.
“Kelvin Joseph did not shoot Cameron Ray”Sorrels said in remarks collected by The Dallas Morning News. “Ray’s death is a tragedy, and Kelvin extends his condolences to his family. On the night of March 17, Kelvin was unarmed and not seeking violence. He was involved in a situation that escalated without his knowledge or consent.”
Dallas Police say they arrested Aries Jones, 28, and Tivione English, 21, of Baton Rouge, La., whom detectives identified as the shooters in the homicide of Cameron Ray. #Cowboys CB Kelvin Joseph’s attorney told @dallasnews on Friday that Joseph was in the SUV but unarmed.
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 16, 2022
So far, there have been two arrests in connection with the Cameron Ray homicide. Both arrests happened this Saturday morning, and neither of them is Joseph. However, investigations are continuing, and things may not look good for “YKDV Bossman Fat”.
Under Texas state law, both the accomplices and the perpetrator of a crime can face the same charges. And that would have legal implications for the Cowboys cornerback as well as the other passengers in the truck involved.
Exactly, the law indicates: “All traditional distinctions between accomplices and perpetrators are abolished, and each party to a crime can be charged and convicted without alleging that they acted as perpetrator or accomplice.”
What is the Cowboys’ position on that?
Apart from the comments of Kelvin Joseph’s lawyer, this Friday the Cowboys’ position on what happened was also known. This was revealed by a brief statement issued by a spokesman for the cowboy team.
“The Dallas Cowboys are aware of the tragic incident that occurred in Dallas on March 18”says the statement. “First and foremost, our hearts go out to Mr. Ray’s family and loved ones. The organization is aware of Kelvin Joseph’s possible connection to this incident. We are in contact with the Dallas police and have alerted the NFL office. We have no further comments at the moment.”
Statement from the Cowboys on Kelvin Joseph: pic.twitter.com/SIZ7J0n99a
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) April 15, 2022
Kelvin Joseph came to the Cowboys as a second-round pick (#44 overall) in the 2021 Draft. This, let’s remember, after the team was unable to pick cornerbacks like Patrick Surtain II or Jaycee Horn in the first round. Joseph’s start in Dallas was less than ideal, showing a patchy performance during the preseason and suffering an injury late in the season.
Joseph was then able to rejoin the team midway through the regular season, taking a role on Dallas’ special teams. However, the Kentucky product played two games as a starter at the end of the campaign, this after the absences due to illness of some players. Thus, Joseph closed the campaign with 16 combined tackles, two passes defensed, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss of yards.
However, this would not be the first time that Joseph’s sports career has been affected by incidents. In 2019, the cornerback was suspended for violating team rules at LSU, which prevented him from playing in that year’s Fiesta Bowl. That suspension apparently prompted his subsequent transfer to the University of Kentucky. However, Joseph indicated that the transfer was intended to gain more exposure on his way to the NFL.
What consequences would the incident have?
Now this incident involving Kelvin Joseph would have consequences. Not just for him, but for the Cowboys as well.
As reported by Mark Lane of WFAA Sports, an NFL spokesman said Joseph’s incident would be under review by the league’s conduct policies. This would imply a possible suspension of the cornerback for witnessing a murder and not saying anything about it. In addition, this would also have the legal consequences noted above due to current Texas law.
Spokesperson with the NFL says the shooting incident involving the #Cowboys‘ Kelvin Joseph is under review of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
— Mark Lane (@therealmarklane) April 15, 2022
In the Cowboys’ case, releasing Joseph is a possibility depending on how the situation evolves. If this happens, the cowboy team’s plans for the Draft would be altered. Let’s remember that Dallas aims to strengthen the offensive guard and receiver positions in the first two rounds. Therefore, also needing a cornerback would complicate the picture.
It’s true that the Cowboys also drafted cornerback Nahshon Wright in Round 3. However, it remains to be seen if Wright already has the necessary level to be an eventual starter in the NFL, or if he still needs to develop. In case Wright isn’t ready yet, Dallas would badly need a cornerback behind Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis.
At the moment, we have to wait for what happens with the investigation. If the NFL or the Texas police decide to take action against Kelvin Joseph, this would be a complication the Cowboys would have to navigate. And, as we mentioned, it could affect the team’s plans for the upcoming Draft.
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