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Former JoCo DA Paul Morrison talks Tyreek Hill investigation

Posted at 6:23 PM, Apr 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-26 19:23:45-04

OLATHE, Kan. — Attorney and former Johnson County district attorney Paul Morrison weighed in Friday on the audio that has surfaced in which Tyreek Hill's fiancé accuses the Chiefs wide-reciever of abusing their 3-year-old son.

"People are lamenting, 'Why can't somebody charge somebody with this? Why hasn't he been charged yet?'' Morrison said. "You know we really don't know what happened."

The recording surfaced a day after current district attorney Steve Howe announced charges wouldn't be filed against Hill or his fiancée, Crystal Espinal.

"We believe a crime has occurred, however, the evidence in this case does not conclusive established who this crime," Howe said Wednesday in a news conference.

Morrison said the recording raises questions about whether Hill’s fiancée was truthful with authorities.

"It certainly provides evidence that the fiancée provided false information to DCF, which is a crime within it itself, so that might be enough to get a toe-hold to a next time step in that case," Morrison said.

Which could lead to charges against Hill.

"The idea that she gets a deal and becomes a cooperating witness and perhaps says enough to be able to help the prosecutor file the case," Morrison said.

Police in Overland Park responded to Hill's home Thursday night to check on Espinal hours after the audio surfaced. Police said she was fine and Hill was not present.

On the audio recording, Hill reportedly threatens Espinal.

"It's not shocking to see it resurface again just because of the way the cycle of violence works," Scott Mason, with the Rose Brooks Center, said.

The Rose Brooks Center helps survivors of domestic violence. Mason said Friday threats are one manner an abuser exerts control over his victim.

"We consider it a private matter we don't want to discuss, but the reality of it is it's very common," Mason said. "It's becoming an epidemic we have to talk about it so we can break that cycle."

As this all plays out, Hill's son remain under protective custody.