Ben Roethlisberger Statement on Civil Suit Alleging He Raped a Woman

This is a high stakes situation which lends itself to leakage if deception or inaccuracies are present.

Obviously he was very nervous and exhibited high stress throughout the statement. He read from a prepared statement, that included legal review, and he had practiced it several times. His hand gestures were unnatural.

With all that being said he did speak freely about all the issues and I could see no deception or inaccuracies. You can notice how subtly he slightly shakes his head no and yes to emphasize his points.

His initial sentence is not something that could be said by someone who was guilty without some sort of deception leakage, especially under his extreme stress and nervousness.

Slight eye blocking with his blinking, he doesn't like that he is seeing all the reporters, cameras, etc.

There are several subtle shoulder shrugs which suggest he is unclear why this is occurring. Shrugs are a universal gesture of helplessness and uncertainty.

He is less convincing when he describes his obligations to his work; it is during this time he shows subtle sadness and defeat. It is as if he is saying with his expressions that it will be difficult to accomplish his obligations.

Now, there may be more to the story that will eventually come out through the legal proceedings, for instance he doesn't say he did not have consensual sexual relations with the accuser. He is too nervous and stressed if this was someone he didn't know or only met in the lobby.

It is my opinion he is being truthful in his statement.◦

Ben Roethlisberger Statement on Civil Suit Alleging He Raped a Woman